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THE 


SINBAD  MINES: 

A    Tale  of  the  Rockies 


BY 


Dr.  E.  F.  Eldridge 


THE  REED  PUBLISHING  COMPANY 

DENVER,  COLO. 


Copyright,  1905 
By  E.  F.  ELDRIDGE,  M.D. 


Pres»  of 

The  Reed  Publishing  Company 
Denver 


fnuttg  Jlmpl?  of  OPur  Olomtlrg 

WHO  ARE  ENDEAVORING  TO 
SUCCEED  IN  A  WORTHY  LIFE 

Ifnhtmr  in  5lrH|trrtfullij  DcMrutri) 


PREFACE 

RELIEVING  that  earnest  effort  and  honest  mo- 
tives are  generally  rewarded,  and  that 
pure  thoughts  and  a  fixed  purpose  stimu- 
late their  possessor  with  strength  to  ac- 
complish tasks,  which  to  others  would  be  unattain- 
able, I  have  endeavored  to  impress  upon  the  mind 
of  the  reader,  in  the  following  pages,  the  importance 
of  having  a  definite  aim  in  life,  worthy  of  being  fol- 
lowed with  an  intensity  wrhich  shall  admit  of  noth- 
ing less  than  its  perfect  accomplishment;  a  purpose 
which  cannot  be  swerved  by  temptation,  discouraged 
by  opposition  or  apparent  impossibilities. 

Believing  that  an  honest  life  is  "worth  the  living/' 
and  that  he  who  succeeds  in  elevating  his  fellow  man 
shall  reap  unto  himself,  not  only  happiness,  but  honor 
and  riches,  and  that  he  truly  lives  most  who  exper- 
iences the  greatest  vicissitudes,  endures  the  severest 
trials  and  surmounts  the  most  obstacles,  maintaining 
the  while  "a  conscience  void  of  offense  toward  God 
and  man,"  I  have  endeavored,  in  the  following  pages, 
to  stimulate  the  desire  for  such  a  life  by  worthy 
example. 

The  pen-pictures  are  true  to  nature,  most  of  them 
having  been  noted  by  the  author  during  his  quite 
extensive  travels,  extending  through  many  years, 
and  over  several  countries;  many  of  the  incidents 
related  being  personal  reminiscences,  while  the 
descriptions  of  scenery  and  frontier  life  are  portray- 
als of  times  and  customs  which  are  fast  fading  from 
even  the  wildest  parts  of  the  Rockies. 

All  of  the  poems,  with  the  exception  of  two,  for 
which  due  credit  is  given,  were  written  expressly 
for  this  book  by  the  author. 


THE  SINBAD  MINES: 

A 

TALE  OF  THE 
ROCKIES 


CHAPTER    I 

JHITE  hills  and  whiter  valleys  stretch  away  in 
the  distance,  while  heavily  laden  boughs, 
bending  under  their  burden  of  ice  and 
snow,  nearly  conceal  from  sight  a  dilapi- 
dated farm  house,  which  shows  but  too  plainly  by 
its  weather-beaten  clapboards  and  the  absence  of 
many  shingels,  that  its  owner  is  either  addicted  to 
the  flowing  bowl,  or  that  some  other  misfortune  has 
overtaken  him.  This  old  buil-ding,  with  its  moss- 
covered  gables  and  creaking  shutters,  was  the  home 
of  a  delicate  boy,  who,  with  his  father  and  mother, 
had  resided  there  since  earliest  recollection. 

Many  misfortunes  had  come  to  them,  and  the 
mother,  wasted  with  disease,  had  become  tired  of 
life,  and  longed  to  go  to  her  final  resting  place, 
although  the  thought  of  leaving  her  child  to  the 
mercy  of  a  heartless  world  stimulated  her  to  cling 
to  the  slender  thread  of  life  with  wonderful  ten- 
acity. But  the  dread  disease,  consumption,  had 
made  such  inroads  upon  her  weakened  constitution 
that  she  finally  succumbed  to  a  severe  hemorrhage 
from  the  lungs,  and  the  father,  now  discouraged, 
was  left  to  his  sorrow  with  but  one  to  comfort  him, 
— his  son  Robert,  fifteen  years  of  age,  who  was  also 
prostrated  with  grief  from  the  loss  of  his  best  friend, 
now  appealed  to  his  only  protector  for  comfort. 
But  his  father  forsook  him,  and  repairing  to  the 


li.  THE      SINBAD      MINES! 

tavern  of  the  village  nearby,  attempted  to  drown  his 
sorrow  in  the  intoxicating  cup,  often  remaining  out 
all  night,  or  returning  to  abuse  Robert  and  complain 
of  the  scanty  food  which  the  child  had  prepared  for 
him  from  their  slender  store  of  supplies. 

As  time  passed  on  the  boy's  life  became  a  burden 
to  him,  and  he  often  wondered  what  it  was  best  for 
him  to  do,  when  one  day  his  father  returned  from 
the  village  accompanied  by  a  woman,  and  Robert 
was  commanded  to  call  her  mother.  This,  while  a 
severe  trial  to  our  young  orphan,  was  by  no  means 
the  worst,  for  he  was  soon  compelled  to  do  most  of 
the  work,  and  often  beaten  for  not  performing  more 
than  his  limited  strength  would  permit.  Scantily 
fed  and  ill  clad,  he  was  the  drudge  of  the  household 
and  the  recipient  of  unwarranted  abuse  and  mal- 
treatment. 

His  father  had  fallen  to  so  low  a  condition  that 
he  had  lost  all  parental  feeling  for  his  child,  and 
finally,  in  a  fit  of  rage,  ordered  him  to  leave  the 
house  and  nevermore  return.  With  a  heavy  heart 
Robert  emerged  from  the  gateway,  not  knowing 
where  to  go  or  what  to  do.  Just  as  he  turned  into 
the  road,  his  eye  caught  a  glimpse  of  a  white  mound 
elevated  above  the  surrounding  snow,  and  sheltered 
from  the  elements  by  the  drooping  branches  of  an 
old  apple  tree. 

Stopping,  and  retracing  his  steps  through  the 
gateway,  Robert  advanced  to  the  mound,  and  sink- 
ing upon  his  knees,  asked  the  God  of  his  mother  to 
direct  him  and  keep  him  in  the  path  of  right!  The 
place  seemed  to  warm  with  her  slumbering  love,  and 
he  resolved  that,  come  what  might,  he  would  follow 
her  precepts  and  trust  in  the  God  who  had  been  the 


A      TALE      OF      THE      ROCKIES  13 

support  of  her  life  and  her  hope  in  death.  He  also 
determined  that  he  would  some  day  return  and  repay 
his  father  in  kindness  for  the  unjust  treatment 
which  he  had  received  at  his  hands. 

Thereupon  he  arose,  and  pondering  these  determi- 
nations in  his  mind,  mechanically  turned  toward  the 
village,  seemingly  indifferent  as  to  where  his  path 
led  him.  When  he  reached  the  summit  of  the  hill 
he  involuntarily  turned  once  more  to  take  a  last 
look  at  the  home  of  his  childhood,  and  recall  the 
many  happy  days  which  he  had  spent  within  its 
sacred  confines.  As  his  eye  rested  upon  the  tomb 
of  his  mother,  he  again  solemnly  resolved  to  keep 
the  vows  he  had  so  recently  made.  Then  passing 
over  the  hill  he  made  his  way  toward  the  depot,  not 
knowing  what  was  in  store  for  him,  as  he  was  with- 
out money  or  friends,  and  his  clothes  were  thread- 
bare and  scanty. 

As  Robert  reached  the  station  platform  a  tall  gen- 
tleman accosted  him  pleasantly,  and  inquired  if  he 
knew  where  a  smart  boy  could  be  secured  to  act  as 
an  attendant  for  his  children,  who,  he  explained, 
were  in  the  car  at  the  rear  of  the  train,  which  then 
stood  in  waiting  for  the  passengers  to  secure  lunch. 
He  further  said  that  he  was  in  charge  of  an  excur- 
sion, and  that  its  destination  was  Chicago;  that  he 
had  secured  a  lad  in  Boston  who  had  proven  to  be 
unreliable,  and  had  been  sent  back  home. 

Robert  was  unprepared  for  such  an  opportunity, 
but  summoning  all  of  his  courage,  he  asked  if  he 
might  not  be  allowed  the  position.  Mr.  Moulton, 
for  such  was  the  gentleman's  name,  scrutinized  the 
boy  carefully,  and  inquired  if  his  parents  would  be 
willing  to  have  him  leave  them.  Robert  replied  that 


14  THE    siNBAi)     MINES: 

his  mother  was  dead,  and  that  his  father  had  turned 
him,  homeless,  into  the  world;  that  he  would  be 
more  than  thankful  if  he  would  take  him  along, 
promising  to  do  his  very  best  to  please  him.  Mr. 
Moulton,  after  ascertaining  from  the  station  agent 
the  probable  truth  of  the  boy's  statement,  promised 
him  a  trial.  Robert  was  shown  to  the  car  and  in- 
troduced to  the  Moulton  family,  which  consisted  of 
Mr.  Moulton,  his  wife,  and  two  children,  a  boy 
about  four  years  old  and  a  girl  some  two  years  his 
senior. 

After  being  instructed  in  his  new  duties,  Robert 
began  to  make  himself  generally  useful,  and  the 
afternoon  passed  rapidly  away.  The  next  morning 
found  the  train  moving  along  near  the  western 
boundary  of  New  York,  and  when  Robert  awoke, 
the  sun  was  shining  brightly  in  his  window.  It 
seemed  very  strange  to  him  when  he  realized  he 
was  so  far  from  home,  and  that  in  so  short  a  time, 
and,  stranger  yet,  that  he  had  secured  a  position, 
although  he  did  not  know  how  long  it  would  last. 
His  many  duties  occupied  the  greater  portion  of  his 
time,  and  as  the  children  followed  him  about  the  car, 
Robert  soon  ceased  musing  over  his  sorrow,  and  be- 
gan to  think  that  after  all  there  might  be  some  good 
in  store  for  him. 

The  days  went  swiftly  by,  and  one  afternoon 
nearly  a  week  after  leaving  home,  the  train  rolled 
into  the  great  depot  at  Chicago.  Soon  all  was  con- 
fusion, as  the  passengers,  anxious  about  their  bag- 
gage, moved  hurriedly  about  the  great  piles  of 
trunks  and  bundles,  to  see  that  all  of  their  belongings 
had  arrived,  and  were  safely  stored  to  await  their 
departure  across  the  great  prairies,  as  most  of  them 


A      TALE      OF      THE      ROCKIES  IS 

were  bound  for  California,  having  been  attracted  to- 
ward the  Pacific  Coast  by  reason  of  the  immense 
gold  fields  which  had  recently  been  discovered  in  that 
country.' 

After  all  had  been  attended  to,  young  Robert 
sought  out  Mr.  Moulton  to  ask  his  advice  in  regard 
to  his  future  movements.  He  was  invited  into  the 
car  where  the  family  were  passing  the  evening,  and 
when  asked  as  to  his  future  intentions,  Robert  re- 
plied that  he  did  not  know  what  he  had  better  do, 
but  thought  he  would  secure  a  position  to  accom- 
pany one  of  the  teams  across  the  plains  in  the  ca- 
pacity of  a  driver.  Mr.  Moulton  kindly  offered  his 
assistance  in  securing  him  a  position,  and  invited 
him  to  call  the  next  morning  when  they  would  visit 
the  camp  together  and  make  the  arrangements. 
Robert  thanked  him  and  returned  to  his  car,  and  to 
bed  for  the  last  night's  rest,  under  a  roof,  for  a  long 
time. 

Bright  and  early  the  next  morning,  he  again 
called  upon  his  benefactor  and  was  much  pleased  to 
be  invited  to  join  them  at  breakfast.  During  the 
meal  Mr.  Moulton  told  him  they  were  very  much 
pleased  with  the  way  in  which  he  had  served  them, 
and  that  as  a  slight  reward  for  his  careful  attention 
to  the  children,  he  wished  to  procure  for  him  some 
new  clothes  and  a  warm  blanket,  which  would  make 
him  a  great  deal  more  comfortable  during  his  long 
and  tedious  trip  across  the  plains. 

Mrs.  Moulton  volunteered  to  go  with  them  and 
assist  in  picking  out  the  most  serviceable  articles. 
She  also  added  several  pairs  of  socks  and  some  large 
handkerchiefs,  which  afterwards  became  very  useful 
to  the  wanderer.  Little  Miss  Alice,  the  daughter, 


l6  THE     SINBAD      MINES: 

without  the  knowledge  of  her  parents,  slipped  a  small 
book  into  Robert's  hand,  whispering  as  she  did  so : 

"You  must  read  in  this  every  Sunday  morning  at 
least,  and  when  you  do,  you  may  think  of  the  little 
girl  who  gave  it  to  you." 

Bidding  the  family  a  sad  farewell,  Robert  accom- 
panied Mr.  Moulton  to  the  stock  yards  where  the 
teams  were  being  fitted  out.  Here  was  a  scene  that 
our  young  friend  had  never  beheld  before,  and  one 
that  is  very  rare  at  the  present  day,  except  in  the 
great  mining  camps  of  the  Rockies — large,  heavy 
wagons  covered  with  bows,  over  which  was  stretched 
canvas  gathered  at  the  ends,  and  commonly  known 
in  those  days  as  "prairie  schooners."  These  great 
wagons  were  being  loaded  with  all  kinds  of  camp 
supplies,  including  bedding,  cooking  utensils,  mining 
tools,  and  a  great  many  other  things  which  were 
entirely  new  to  Robert. 

Mr.  Moulton  spent  considerable  time  in  looking 
about  among  the  teams,  but  finally  accosted  one  of 
the  owners  and  inquired  of  him  if  he  was  in  need 
of  any  one  to  assist  him  in  light  work,  the  care  of 
children  or  other  trusty  employment.  The  man  re- 
plied that  he  was  in  need  of  a  teamster,  whereupon 
Mr.  Moulton  introduced  Robert  and  asked  that  he 
be  given  the  position.  The  man  gazed  at  him  in 
astonishment,  and  replied  that  he  was  too  small  for 
that  business. 

Robert  assured  the  man  that,  although  he  was 
small,  he  had  had  considerable  experience  in  driving 
horses,  and  begged  to  be  allowed  to  try.  Mr.  Moul- 
ton assured  the  man,  whose  name  was  Martin,  that 
the  boy  was  a  very  careful  hand,  and  that  he  would 
find  him  to  be  of  much  more  service  than  he  antici- 


A      TALE      OF      THE      ROCKIES  17 

pated.  After  a  little  delay  Robert  was  told  that  he 
might  begin  to  make  himself  useful  at  once,  as  he 
would  be  allowed  to  accompany  the  train  as  teamster. 

With  tears  in  his  eyes  Robert  bid  his  benefactor 
farewell,  and  turned  to  his  new  employment,  to  find 
it  very  difficult  to  manage,  on  account  of  the  many 
new  terms  that  were  used,  and  the  further  fact  that 
he  was  wholly  unacquainted  with  the  requirements 
of  life  out  of  doors. 

Nearly  a  week  having  been  spent  in  preparation, 
the  long  train  of  schooners  was  finally  ready  to 
begin  its  tedious  journey  across  the  plains, — and 
over  the  great  divide.  The  caravan  consisted  of 
more  than  fifty  wagons,  which  were  hauled  by  ox 
teams,  there  being  from  two  to  four  yoke  of  oxen 
before  each  wagon,  and  it  was  a  novel  sight  as  one 
after  the  other  of  the  moving  homes  drew  into  posi- 
tion, forming  a  line  over  two  miles  in  length,  and 
looking  for  all  the  world  like  some  monstrous  ser- 
pent crawling  slowly  along  over  the  smooth  sod  of 
the  prairie,  which  was  still  bare  of  snow. 

Although  the  work  was  very  hard  for  so  young 
a  boy  as  Robert,  he  did  his  best,  and  when  at  night 
he  stretched  his  weary  limbs  upon  the  ground  in 
front  of  the  camp-fire,  he  was  often  too  tired  to 
think  of  the  past,  or  speculate  upon  the  future.  Day 
after  day  passed  with  the  same  routine  labor,  and 
almost  exactly  the  same  scenery;  all  was  monoto- 
nous, and  Robert  began  to  think  there  was  no  end 
to  the  prairie  which  stretched  away  on  all  sides  as 
far  as  the  eye  could  reach. 

Occasionally  a  herd  of  buffalo  was  observed  in  the 
distance,  or  a  curious-eyed  antelope  would  gaze  at 
them  from  some  slight  elevation,  to  dart  away  a 


l8  THE      SINBAD      MINES: 

moment  later  out  of  sight.  At  night,  droves  of  coy- 
otes would  congregate  at  a  safe  distance  from  the 
camp  and  set  up  a  most  doleful  howl,  which  would 
frighten  the  children  so  that  it  required  Robert's 
whole  attention  to  quiet  them.  Then  as  Robert  lay 
looking  up  at  the  stars,  he  often  wondered  what  was 
in  the  future  for  him,  sometimes  almost  giving  up  in 
despair,  when  the  kindly  words  of  his  mother  would 
come  to  him,  and  he  would  take  fresh  courage  and 
again  renew  his  energy. 

After  many  days  of  hardship  and  privation,  as 
their  amount  of  edibles  was  limited,  and  the  distance 
between  watering  places  great,  they  reached  the 
eastern  bank  of  the  Missouri  river,  at  a  point  near 
where  the  city  of  Omaha  is  now  located,  then  but  a 
small  trading  post.  Here  they  camped  for  the  night, 
and  the  next  day  was  spent  in  crossing  the  river, 
and  in  laying  in  a  new  stock  of  supplies,  when  the 
train  again  took  up  its  westward  march. 

Many  were  the  forebodings  of  those  hardy  pio- 
neers as  to  the  resuk  of  their  undertaking,  knowing, 
as  they  did,  that  the  country  beyond  them  was 
inhabited  by  Indians  who  were  hostile  to  the 
whites,  and  that  there  were  no  settlements  for  hun- 
dreds of  miles,  while  on  the  top  of  the  range  eternal 
winter  reigned  supreme.  The  course  of  the  train  led 
up  the  Platte  river,  which  they  found  to  be  a  broad, 
shallow  stream  fringed  with  cottonwood,  and  stud- 
ded with  many  sandbars. 

Bands  of  friendly  Indians  were  frequently  met 
with  who  seemed  to  favor  the  travelers,  until  late  one 
afternoon  it  was  ascertained  that  there  were  several 
bands  of  Sioux  in  the  vicinity,  and  that  they  were 
intending  to  make  a  raid  on  the  camp  at  the  earliest 


A      TALE      OF      THE      ROCKIES  1 9 

opportunity,  which  could  best  be  accomplished  at  the 
mouth  of  a  canon  which  they  were  about  to  enter. 

Thereupon  all  hands  were  set  to  work  to  fortify 
themselves  as  well  as  possible.  The  order  to  camp 
being  given  much  earlier  than  usual,  the  wagons 
were  drawn  up  in  a  circle  about  the  camp-fire,  the 
stock  being  driven  into  the  corral  thus  formed,  to 
protect  them  from  being  driven  off  by  the  Indians. 
Then  saddles  and  bags  of  provisions,  as  well  as  many 
other  camp  belongings,  were  piled  up  in  the  space 
between  the  wagons  as  a  barricade,  and  some  time 
before  dark  quite  a  substantial  fortress  had  been 
established. 

All  the  men  of  the  party,  having  been  provided 
with  some  kind  of  weapon,  were  prepared  to  protect 
the  women  and  children,  or  to  sell  their  lives  as 
dearly  as  possible.  The  long  night  wore  slowly 
away,  and  the  sun  rose  over  the  eastern  horizon 
dispelling  alike  both  sleep  and  fear,  and  awakening 
the  camp  to  activity  again.  All  members  of  the 
party  were  indeed  truly  thankful  that  they  had  not 
been  molested  during  the  night,  but  those  who  were 
the  most  used  to  Indian  tactics  regarded  it  as  a  ruse 
to  throw  them  off  their  guard,  when  at  some  future 
time  they  would  be  taken  unawares. 

Slowly' and  tediously  did  the  weary  travelers  make 
their  way  up  the  mountain  side,  sometimes  con- 
fronted by  swollen  mountain  torrents,  which,  rush- 
ing down  their  granite-choked  canons  with  a  velocity 
that  was  irresistible  and  a  power  that  ground  the 
rocks  to  pieces,  sent  up  a  roar  that  might  be  heard 
for  miles  around ;  at  another  time  they  were  crawling 
along  the  edge  of  some  gigantic  glacier  or  drift  of 
snow  that  overhung  a  yawning  abyss,  into  whose 


2O  THE      SINBAD      MINES: 

depths  it  seemed  certain  that  the  whole  train  would 
surely  slide;  then  descending  again  into  a  deep 
canon,  the  sides  of  which  were  so  nearly  perpendicu- 
lar that  it  seemed  certain  destruction  awaited  those 
who  attempted  it. 

But  by  exercising  the  most  careful  watchfulness 
they  succeeded  in  reaching  the  Great  Divide,  and  be- 
gan to  descend  the  western  slope.  The  weather, 
which  had  been  severe,  now  rapidly  moderated,  and 
in  the  course  of  a  few  days  the  snow  began  to  melt 
under  the  influence  of  the  mild  Pacific  breezes, 
which  were  welcomed  by  the  poorly  fed  and  scantily 
clothed  strangers.  They  began  to  congratulate 
themselves  on  their  safe  passage  through  the  snow 
and  untrodden  waste  of  the  mountains,  but 
were  still  aware  that  they  were  not  out  of  danger, 
as  they  were  approaching  the  home  of  the  Ute  In- 
dians,— a  sworn  enemy  of  the  white  man,  and  a 
most  treacherous  foe. 

Each  night  as  the  camp  was  pitched,  extra  pre- 
cautions were  taken  to  guard  against  a  surprise, 
although  no  signs  of  Indians  had  been  met  with  for 
several  days. 

One  evening  just  before  sunset,  as  they  were  de- 
scending into  the  valley  of  the  Savory,  white  smoke 
was  seen  ascending  from  several  camp  fires,  around 
which  was  nestled  a  village  of  tepees,  and  our  friends 
suddenly  became  aware  that  they  were  in  the  power 
of  the  dreaded  savage. 

Not  knowing  what  was  best  to  do,  as  they  were 
largely  outnumbered,  a  council  was  called,  and  it 
was  decided  to  make  a  long  detour,  and  thus  avoid 
meeting  the  Indians,  but  upon  further  consideration 
this  was  abandoned  for  the  reason  that  thev  had 


A      TALE      OF      THE      ROCKIES  21 

already  been  observed  by  the  savages,  who  were  seen 
running  about  with  their  weapons,  while  the  squaws 
and  pappooses  were  hurried  away  to  the  adjacent 
foothills  and  out  of  danger,  as  it  was  a  never-failing 
practice  of  the  Utes  to  send  their  women  and  children 
away  before  a  massacre  was  engaged  in ;  the  obser- 
vation of  these  precautions  by  the  savages  made  our 
friends  all  the  more  solicitous  for  their  own  safety. 

While  they  were  meditating  as  to  what  action  was 
best  to  be  taken,  an  old  man  was  seen  emerging  from 
one  of  the  wigwams.  Observing  that  he  was  of  the 
white  race,  they  felt  somewhat  relieved,  and  await- 
ing until  he  came  up  to  them,  they  were  happily  sur- 
prised to  hear  him  address  them  in  English,  and  to 
learn  that  he  was  an  old  hunter  and  trapper,  who  had 
lived  in  the  country  for  a  long  time,  and  who  was 
now  acting  chief  of  the  tribe. 

Having  ascertained  that  they  did  not  intend  to 
stop  in  the  country,  he  welcomed  them  to  his  hospi- 
tality, and  led  the  way  to  the  camp,  where,  with  a 
few  directions  addressed  to  the  Indians,  Captain 
Baker,  for  such  was  his  name,  invited  them  into  a 
large  tepee,  where  they  were  soon  seated  and  enjoy- 
ing the  best  meal  of  which  they  had  partaken  for  a 
long  time. 

The  evening  was  spent  in  pleasant  conversation, 
and  Robert  was  much  interested  in  many  of  the 
strange  implements  and  weapons  with  which  the  In- 
dians were  provided,  while  they  seemed  to  be  fully  as 
curious  in  the  examination  of  him.  Many  of  the 
squaws  were  bedecked  with  large  pieces  of  silver 
which  had  been  worked  into  curious  patterns,  and 
were  being  worn  as  ornaments.  Robert  also  noticed 
that  a  few  of  the  younger  squaws  wore  gold  nuggets 


22  THE      SINBAD      MINES! 

of  sufficient  weight  to  be  of  considerable  value. 
When  he  tried  to  find  out  the  source  of  these  precious 
metals  he  was  answered  by  their  pointing  to  the 
south,  and  then  to  the  sun  with  the  fingers  of  both 
hands  extended,  meaning  that  they  had  been  brought 
from  the  south  a  distance  which  it  required  ten  days 
to  travel. 

The  party  remained  with  Captain  Baker  and  the 
friendly  Indians  for  an  entire  week,  recuperating 
their  strength  and  allowing  their  horses  to  rest,  at 
the  end  of  which  time  the  march  was  again  resumed 
toward  the  city  of  Great  Salt  Lake ;  but  it  was  with 
unfeigned  sorrow  that  they  reluctantly  left  their 
dusky  friends  and  the  generous  Captain  after  his 
kindly  treatment. 

The  train  followed  the  Savory,  a  small  stream 
which  empties  into  the  White  river;  down  this 
stream,  swarming  with  myriads  of  resplendent  trout, 
our  wandering  friends  wound  their  way. 

Robert  had  now  become  deeply  impressed  with 
the  idea  of  at  sometime  becoming  an  expert  pros- 
pector, and  had  already  begun  to  scan  the  rocks 
carefully,  as  well  as  to  read  up  as  to  the  varieties 
which  were  likely  to  carry  the  precious  metals. 

One  day  when  he  was  helping  to  arrange  some  of 
the  baggage  in  one  of  the  wagons  he  was  fortunate 
to  come  across  a  copy  of  a  small  work  by  Henry 
Nason  upon  mineralogy.  This  he  diligently  studied 
in  his  leisure  hours,  finding  it  a  most  concise  treat- 
ise on  the  subject,  as  well  as  a  guide  to  the  use  of 
the  blow-pipe.  It  also  contained  much  other  infor- 
mation of  importance  to  Robert,  who  had  now  ac- 
tually begun  his  life  work  with  a  positive  presenti- 
ment that  he  would  succeed.  Now  that  he  had 


A     TALE     OF     THE     ROCKIES  23 

really  made  up  his  mind  as  to  his  future  course,  he 
asked  the  blessing  of  his  dead  mother  upon  the  under- 
taking, and  bent  all  of  his  energies  to  its  ac- 
complishment. 

About  a  week  after  leaving  the  Savory,  and  while 
they  were  camped  in  a  narrow  ravine  where  the 
mountains  rose  upon  either  side  to  the  height  of 
several  thousand  feet,  Robert  noticed  that  there 
were  marked  indications  of  an  approaching  storm, 
and  as  they  intended  to  remain  in  the  valley  a  short 
time,  he  took  special  care  in  pitching  the  tents, 
using  double  pins  to  each  loop  and  driving  them 
well  home.  As  a  further  precaution  of  safety,  he 
dug  a  deep  trench  around  each  tent,  that  in  case  of 
a  heavy  fall  of  water  it  would  be  borne  away,  and 
not  inundate  the  bedding  or  destroy  the  provisions. 

These  precautions  were  timely,  as  they  were 
hardly  completed  when  he  was  again  reminded  of  the 
approaching  storm  by  the  falling  of  a  few  large 
drops  of  water.  Supper  was  called,  and  as  the  tired 
and  hungry  wayfarers  assembled  in  their  tents  no 
one  thought  of  the  danger  which  was  so  fast  ap- 
proaching them,  as  all  were  congratulating  them- 
selves upon  the  wonderful  Providence  which  had 
directed  their  feet  and  watched  over  their  welfare 
so  far  across  the  trackless  waste,  when,  without 
warning,  there  was  a  terrible  crash  as  though  the 
eternal  mountains  were  crumbling  from  their  foun- 
dations, and  a  tremendous  torrent  of  water  was  seen 
rushing  from  the  mouth  of  a  narrow  canon  which 
emerged  into  the  valley  a  little  above  them. 

This  was  immediately  followed  by  a  fall  of  water 
which  was  frightful  to  behold,  the  equal  of  which 
never  occurs  except  among  the  high  mountains. 


24  THE    SINBAD    MINES: 

The  wind  moaned  and  sighed  among  the  rocks, 
while  the  ground  fairly  shook  with  the  terrific  dis- 
charges of  electricity,  and  torrents  of  water  loaded 
with  rocks  and  debris  went  rushing  down  the  valley 
past  them. 

So  close  was  their  attention  riveted  upon  the  won- 
derful phenomena,  they  did  not  notice  that  the 
ditches  which  \vere  to  protect  them  were  already  full, 
and  that  the  water  was  rapidly  coming  into  the  tent. 
Suddenly  a  great  gust  of  wind  came  down  the  canon 
with  tremendous  force,  and  entering  the  tent,  raised 
it  into  the  air,  where  it  exploded  with  a  heavy  boom. 
The  rain  descended  in  almost  solid  sheets,  while  the 
water  rose  rapidly  to  their  middles. 

Robert  was  the  first  to  give  any  directions.  Notic- 
ing that  some  of  the  party  were  making  toward  the 
cliffs,  he  shouted  to  them  to  remain  where  they  were 
and  hang  to  the  ropes,  as  they  had  not  all  gone,  ad- 
ding that  he  believed  they  would  at  least  hold  them 
together  and  prevent  them  from  being  washed  away 
by  the  flood ;  and  that  there  was  imminent  danger 
of  their  being  crushed  by  the  rocks  which  were 
crashing  down  the  cliffs,  having  been  loosened  from 
their  beds  above  by  the  falling  rain,  and  that  no  one 
could  tell  where  the  next  one  might  alight. 

By  the  greatest  exertion  he  succeeded  in  prevent- 
ing any  of  them  from  leaving  his  side,  where  all 
were  huddled  together,  fully  believing  that  the  end 
of  their  journey  had  come,  and  that  there  was  little 
hope  of  seeing  the  light  of  another  day.  Lightning 
tore  the  rocks  and  lighted  up  the  scene  with  a  wild 
and  lurid  glow,  which  made  the  succeeding  darkness 
all  the  more  profound.  When  the  rain  had  subsided 
and  the  wind  gone  down  a  little,  the  bravest  of  the 


A      TALE      OF      THE      ROCKIES  2$ 

party  began  to  move  about,  as  they  were  anxious  to 
know  if  all  their  companions  were  safe. 

The  water  was  still  deep,  and  it  required  the  ut- 
most caution  to  keep  on  foot,  as  the  current  was  very 
strong,  and  it  was  impossible  to  tell  where  there 
might  be  a  deep  channel  worn  in  the  soft  soil  by  the 
stream.  The  task  was  made  more  difficult  for  the 
reason  that  the  fires  had  been  extinguished  and  the 
wood  swept  entirely  away.  Robert  made  an  en- 
deavor in  the  darkness  to  find  something  that  might 
be  induced  to  burn,  and  was  soon  rewarded  by  stumb- 
ling against  a  quantity  of  flood  trash,  which  had 
become  entangled  in  the  tent  ropes.  It  was  found  to 
consist  of  oak  limbs  which  had  been  washed  down 
from  the  mountains,  but  from  the  violence  of  the 
storm  they  were  entirely  denuded  of  bark,  and  worn 
perfectly  smooth. 

Remembering  that  he  had  seen  a  small  flask  of 
alcohol  in  one  of  the  bundles  that  was  used  for  a 
pillow,  he  succeeded  in  finding  it,  and  by  collecting 
some  of  the  smaller  branches  and  piling  them  on  top 
of  the  larger  ones,  he  succeeded  in  erecting  a  pile  that 
projected  from  the  water  and  soft  mud  sufficiently 
to  allow  of  its  being  saturated  with  a  small  quantity 
of  the  fluid,  and  by  frequently  adding  more,  he  was 
happy  to  find  that  just  before  the  contents  of  the 
flask  were  exhausted  a  feeble  blaze  had  developed, 
which  was  carefully  coaxed  by  the  addition  of  small 
twigs,  until  a  cheerful  fire  was  again  burning  in 
front  of  their  former  habitation. 

By  the  light  of  its  blaze  further  observations  were 
made  in  regard  to  the  location  of  more  fuel,  which 
was  soon  found,  and  the  fire  increased  to  a  genial 
flame  which  lighted  up  the  scene,  and  exhibited  a 


26  THE      SINBAD      MINES: 

most  wonderful  transformation  of  the  one  that  had 
existed  but  so  short  a  time  before.  Huge  boulders 
which  had  rolled  from  the  mountain  side  were  strewn 
about,  many  of  them  very  near  to  where  the  fright- 
ened and  drenched  travelers  were  huddled  together. 
The  surface  of  the  ground  had  been  entirely  changed 
by  the  violence  of  the  storm,  while  everything 
movable  had  been  washed  away. 

Before  the  fire  the  wet  clothes  were  soon  dried, 
and  with  its  warmth  it  imparted  new  life  and  hope 
to  the  shivering  wanderers,  who  now  betook  them- 
selves to  the  wagons  to  await  the  approach  of  day, 
which,  when  it  came,  disclosed  a  most  desolate  and 
foreboding  camp,  as  most  of  the  provisions  were 
ruined  by  the  water,  several  of  their  oxen  drowned, 
camp  fixtures  washed  away,  and  everything  covered 
with  mud.  The  floor  of  the  entire  canon  was  strewn 
with  debris  and  the  carcasses  of  wild  animals,  which 
had  perished  from  the  violence  of  the  elements. 

After  considerable  difficulty  they  succeeded  in  se- 
curing trappings  enough  to  attach  the  teams  to  the 
wagons,  and  partaking  of  a  hasty  breakfast  were 
on  their  way  again.  Notwithstanding  their  great 
loss  and  the  hardship  of  the  night,  the  travelers  were 
happy  for  the  reason  that  they  were  all  still  alive  and 
comparatively  comfortable.  Nothing  of  importance 
occurred  to  mar  the  monotony  of  the  journey  until 
they  were  descending  the  western  slope  of  the  Uinta 
mountains  into  the  Great  Salt  Lake  Basin,  when 
the  teams  that  Robert  were  driving  began  to  shy, 
and  in  spite  of  his  utmost  efforts  the  hind  wheels  of 
the  heavy  wagon  suddenly  slipped  from  the  trail  and 
were  hanging  over  an  abyss  hundreds  of  feet  in 
depth,  and  but  for  the  friendly  presence  of  a  scrub 


A      TALE     OF     THE     ROCKIES  27 

oak  all  must  have  been  dashed  to  destruction.  It  was 
with  difficulty  that  the  oxen  were  finally  con- 
trolled, when,  with  the  assistance  of  saddle  horses 
and  lariats,  the  wagon  was  hauled  back  to  its  for- 
mer position  and  the  descent  continued. 

So  the  days  passed  slowly  by.  Something  excit- 
ing to  attract  one's  attention,  as  well  as  to  require 
great  presence  of  mind  and  unusual  skill  to  prevent 
accidents ;  at  one  point  a  bit  of  beautiful  scenery,  and 
at  another  some  startling  hair-breadth  escape;  again 
a  great  herd  of  elk  might  be  seen  crossing  the  trail ; 
and  at  another  time  a  beautiful  mountain  cascade 
would  flash  into  view,  leaping  from  some  rugged 
gorge  hung  with  vines  and  carpeted  with  many- 
colored  mosses,  to  float  out  into  the  sunshine  on  the 
wings  of  the  breeze  and  slowly  fade  away  in  a  mist 
of  resplendent  glory.  At  still  another  time,  the 
outer  wheels  of  a  wagon  might  be  seen  rolling  along 
so  near  the  edge  of  a  ravine  as  to  cause  the  earth  to 
break  away  under  them  just  as  they  were  leaving  it, 
to  rattle  down  the  precipice  for  hundreds  of  feet  to 
the  stream  below. 

Many  times  while  they  were  crossing  the  desert 
they  were  a  long  way  from  water,  when  the  stock 
and  their  drivers  suffered  the  most  intense  agony, 
only  to  be  disappointed  when  reaching  a  spring  to 
find  it  to  be  so  strongly  alkaline  as  to  render  it  dan- 
gerous to  use,  and  but  a  mockery  to  their  suffering. 

THE   DESERT 

'Mid  the  alkali  dust  of  the  desert's  drear  waste, 
Where  the  sun  heats  the  sand  to  a  glow, 

And  the  trail  is  o'erstrewn  with  the  bones  of  the  dead 
Which  are  bleaching  as  white  as  the  snow ; 


28  THE    SINBAD     MINES: 

Where  the  atmosphere  gleams  with  a  sulphurous  hue. 

And  the  sand  reaches  far  out  of  sight ; 
Where  the  low  barren  hills  like  demons  asleep, 

Reflect  back  the  dazzling  light. 

Not  a  blade  of  green  grass  nor  a  creature  in  sight, 

Of  air  it  seems  hardly  a  breath ; 
Where  the  silence  is  broken  alone  by  himself, 

And  Nature  speaks  only  of  death.' 
Alone  in  the  desert,  benumbed,  by  the  pain 

That  has  tortured  for  many  a  day, 
He  dreams  of  the  spring  of  his  own  native  vale, 

And  for  ivater  he  tries  hard  to  pray ! 

But  the  sound  of  his  pleading  is  lost  on  the  air, 

His  tongue  is  thrust  out  of  his  mouth ; 
His  brain  is  on  fire !     He  shrieks  in  despair, — 

His  blood  is  consumed  by  the  drouth ! 
He  spurs  on  his  mustang  with   desperate  will, 

Though  it  staggers  from  weakness  and  thirst ; 
The  veins  of  his  temples  like  whipcords  are  raised, 

While  his  eyeballs  seem  ready  to  burst! 

He  sees  through  the  mirage  the  cool  running  streams, 

As  they  dance  'neath  the  green  waving  trees ; 
And  the  crest  of  the  waves  as  they  roll  o'er  the  lake 

In  front  of  the  freshening  breeze. 
He  sways  in  the  saddle  and  clutches  his  throat, 

Then  utters  a  curse  and  a  prayer, — 
And  his    face   is   distorted   with   agonized   pain, 

In    that   furnace   of   glimmering  air ! 

His  eyes  gaze  in  horror !     He  falls  to  the  ground, 

O'ercome   by   the   treacherous   sight ; 
His  reason  has  fled,  and  he  laughs  in  his  glee, 

As  the  day  slowly  fades  in  the  night. 
The  moon,  burning  red,  gazes  down  on  the  spot 

With  a  soft  gentle  light  in  her  face. 
But  the  demon  of  thirst  has  finished  his  task, — 

And  of  beauty  has  left  not  a  trace. 

Such  was  the  end  of  some  of  the  brave  explorers 
who  attempted  to  cross  the  desolate  plains  and  burn- 
ing- sands  of  the  Great  American  Desert  in  the  time 
of  our  story. 


A      TALE     OF     THE     ROCKIES  29 

After  enduring  many  hardships,  accomplishing 
long  marches,  and  when  the  provisions  were  nearly 
exhausted,  the  sparkling  waters  of  the  Great  Salt 
Lake  were  sighted  as  they  glistened  in  the  slanting 
rays  of  the  descending  sun.  The  fact  that  they  were 
again  approaching  civilization  and  the  comforts  of 
happy  homes  stimulated  their  drooping  spirits  and 
revived  their  tired  bodies.  It  was  thought  that  by 
making  the  drive  continue  late  into  the  evening  it 
might  be  possible  to  reach  the  city  sometime  during 
the  succeeding  day,  but  still  another  day  was  passed 
in  the  same  manner,  to  draw  to  a  close  again  with 
the  weary  pilgrims  still  a  long  way  from  the  great 
Mormon  camp,  after  it  seemed  they  had  traveled 
many  times  the  distance. 

Their  weary  march  was  finally  accomplished,  and 
the  dusty  and  faded  wagons  wound  their  way  down 
the  broad  and  shady  streets  of  one  of  the  most  beau- 
tiful cities  of  any  age  or  continent,  and  one  that 
stands  forth  as  a  mighty  monument  to  the  energy 
and  executive  ability  of  the  only  man  who  would 
have  been  able  to  erect  a  city  of  its  beauty  and  mag- 
nitude, hundreds  of  miles  from  civilization,  and  who 
made  the  desert  blossom  as  the  rose, — the  happy 
homes  of  hundreds  of  poor  outcasts. 

THE  CITY  OF  THE  SAINTS 

Where  rugged  mountains  rear  their  peaks 

Against  the  eastern  skies, 
And  Great  Salt  Lake  reflects  the  crags, 

Which   far  above  it  rise ; 
Or,  flashing  like  a  diadem 

Upon  a  maiden's  breast, 
Its  diamonds  sparkle  in  the  sun 

Upon  the  wavelet's  crest. 


3O  THE      SINE  AD      MINES: 

Where  healing  zephyrs  fondly  blow 

Across  the  verdant  fields, 
And  nature,  full  a  hundred  fold, 

Her  choicest  treasures  yields; 
Beside  the  sacred  Jordan's  stream, 

Amid  its  gardens   fair, 
A  wondrous  city  rears  its  spires 

High   in   the  balmy   air ! 

The  angel  from  his  dizzy  height, 

Above  the   temple  grand, 
Looks  down  upon  the  fairest  sight 

Of  any  age  or  land ; 
For  here,  the  Master  from  His  gifts, 

Has  chosen  all  the  best. 
And  made  for  man  a  Paradise 

Upon  the  desert's  breast ! 

As  the  teams  were  brought  to  a  stop  in  the  open 
square  the  emigrants  were  met  by  a  delegation  from 
the  authorities,  who  inquired  if  they  could  do  any- 
thing for  them.  Upon  being  informed  that  their 
supplies  were  nearly  exhausted  they  immediately  of- 
ftrcd  to  replenish  them,  for  which  they  would  re- 
ceive no  remuneration. 

After  a  few  days  spent  in  looking  around  the  city, 
examining  its  wonderful  resources  and  comfortable 
homes,  the  caravan  was  again  under  way,  bound  for 
the  great  placer  fields  of  California.  There  were 
long  days  of  dreary  marching,  interspersed  by  many 
exciting  adventures  with  the  Indians  among  the 
Sierra  Nevada  mountains;  longer  days  without 
water,  as  they  endured  the  privations  incident  to 
those  pathless  wastes,  which  were  difficult  to  travel 
and  beset  with  dangers  of  many  kinds. 

One  fine  morning,  early  in  summer,  the  dilapidated 
train  might  have  been  seen  descending  a  ravine 
through  the  foot-hills  of  a  broken  "mesa,"  which 


A      TALE      OF      THE      ROCKIES  31 

gradually  spread  out  into  a  beautiful  valley,  through 
which  ran  a  noisy  stream,  the  riffles  of  which  were 
thickly  studded  with  miners  who  were  washing  from 
the  shining  sand  the  precious  grains  of  gold,  for 
which  they  had  left  their  eastern  homes,  and,  daring 
the  dangers  of  frontier  life,  were  laboring  hard  to 
obtain. 

Situated  in  rows  upon  either  side  were  their  tents, 
glistening  beneath  the  rays  of  a  summer  sun,  while 
in  front  of  them  were  the  embers  still  smouldering 
from  the  morning's  meal.  Here  the  wagons  were 
unloaded,  the  tents  pitched,  and  the  work  for  which 
they  had  made  the  long  journey  earnestly  com- 
menced. As  Robert's  engagement  was  at  an  end  he 
determined  to  commence  business  for.  himself. 

In  the  camp  was  one  young  man  about  Robert's 
age,  but  much  larger  and  stronger,  who  seemed  to 
have  no  companion,  and  who,  like  Robert,  had  re-, 
cently  arrived  at  the  "diggings."  An  acquaintance 
was  soon  formed  between  them,  and  a  partnership 
entered  into  whereby  they  were  to  be  equally  interest- 
ed in  whatever  enterprises  they  might  undertake.  His 
new-found  friend  proved  to  be  a  generous,  whole- 
souled  man,  whom  Robert  soon  learned  to  respect, 
especially  for  his  unselfishness,  although  it  was 
often  carried  to  such  an  extent  that  it  became  little 
less  than  recklessness;  however,  he  was  honest  and 
generous,  and  this  was  sufficient  to  make  them  warm 
friends  at  once,  while  in  after  years  they  became  in- 
separable. 

The  work  was  very  hard  at  first,  and  it  was  with 
aching  limbs  and  tired  muscles  that  they  returned  to 
their  rest  at  night,  many  times  with  only  the  vault 
of  heaven  for  their  roof,  and  the  singing  pines  to 


3-2  THE      SINBAD      MINES: 

lull  them  to  sleep.  Many  were  the  dreams  which 
occupied  Robert's  mind  during  those  long  weary 
days  of  labor,  which  were  to  fit  him  to  follow  intelli- 
gently some  day  the  calling  which  he  had  chosen. 

The  summer  passed,  and  the  winter  was  fast  ap- 
proaching with  its  long  days  of  storm  and  deep 
drifts  of  snow,  admonishing  them  that  they  must 
prepare  for  the  winter. 

The  work  of  the  camp  had  been  quite  satisfactory 
to  the  miners,  and  they  were  beginning  to  think  of 
going  to  San  Francisco  to  sell  their  dust  and  secure 
more  supplies  for  the  winter,  when,  without  warn- 
ing, and  while  they  were  wrapped  in  slumber,  per- 
chance dreaming  of  loved  ones  in  their  distant  homes, 
suddenly  there  was  3  loud  report.  Springing  to 
their  feet,  they  were  confronted  by  a  gang  of  out- 
laws, who,  with  leveled  rifles,  demanded  their  hard 
earned  wealth,  and  that  instantly. 

As  there  was  no  alternative  out  to  comply  with 
the  demand,  their  belts  were  handed  over  to  the 
brigands,  who,  leaving  several  of  their  number  to 
guard  the  miners,  looted  the  cabins,  and  after  se- 
curing their  horses  and  loudly  cursing  them  for  not 
having  gathered  more  dust,  they  faced  them  toward 
the  mountain  and  commanded  them  not  to  move 
for  the  next  half  hour,  with  the  assurance  that  if 
they  did  it  would  cost  them  their  lives.  This  was 
the  most  discouraging  trial  the  miners  had  met  with, 
as  it  compelled  them  to  leave  their  work  as  soon  as 
possible,  for  the  reason  that  their  provisions  having 
been  stolen  and  winter  coming  on  they  must  make 
their  way  to  the  coast,  although  they  would  be  en- 
tirely without  means  when  they  reached  there. 

Reaching  the  city  of  the  Golden  Gate,  Robert  and 


A     TALE     OF     THE     ROCKIES  33 

his  companion  secured  work  upon  the  wharves  un- 
loading merchandise  from  the  great  ships,  which 
were  engaged  in  bringing  supplies  to  the  coast,  as 
well  as  material  for  the  city  which  was  fast  springing 
into  existence ;  but  owing  to  the  influences  which  sur- 
rounded them,  and  the  small  value  which  he  placed 
upon  money,  Robert's  companion  soon  acquired  the 
habit  of  frequenting  the  saloons  which  were  near  at 
hand,  and  spending  his  hard-earned  wages  for  that 
which  did  him  only  harm.  When  Robert  remon- 
strated with  him  he  would  earnestly  promise  to  do 
better,  but  his  good  resolutions  were  soon  forgotten 
and  his  pledges  broken. 

This  becaiwe  a  source  of  great  anxiety  to  Robert, 
who  was  anxious  to  earn  sufficient  means  before 
the  spring  opened  to  enable  them  to  prosecute  their 
calling  among  the  hills  during  the  coming  summer. 
Robert  spent  his  leisure  time  during  the  long  wyn- 
ter  evenings  acquainting  himself  with  the  geography 
and  mineralogy  of  the  mountains  of  the  south-west- 
ern states,  frequently  being  busy  far  into  the  night 
experimenting  with  the  blow-pipe  and  chemicals 
used  in  assaying.  He  also  studied  the  source  of  the 
placer  gold,  and  learned  that  in  the  peaks  far  above 
the  deposits  were  the  leads  from  which  it  came.  In 
accordance  with  this  theory  he  determined  to  ascend 
the  mountains  and  follow  up  the  gulches  in  search 
of  the  rich  leads  which  he  believed  must  exist. 

Owing  to  the  bad  habits  of  "Happy,"  the  familiar 
name  by  which  Robert's  companion  was  known, 
Robert  thought  it  best  to  leave  the  city  as  soon  as 
possible.  Packing  up  their  outfits  they  soon  found 
themselves  among  the  peaks  of  the  coast  range, 
where,  one  day  as  they  were  washing  some  sand 


34  THE      SINBAD      MINES: 

near  a  small  stream,  Happy  found  in  the  bottom  of 
his  pan  some  small  grains  of  gold  which  showed  by 
their  rugged  appearance  that  they  had  come  but  a 
short  distance  from  the  ledge  from  which  they  had 
been  torn  by  the  action  of  the  stream.  Robert's 
attention  was  called  to  the  fact,  and  after  examining 
it,  he  expressed  the  opinion  that  they  would  soon  be 
rewarded  by  finding  the  mother  vein. 

Redoubling  their  efforts,  they  proceeded  to  wash 
the  gravel  in  all  directions,  digging  a  hole  every  few 
feet — thus  slowly  ascending  the  gulch.  Each  pan 
showed  the  same  indications,  with  gold  in  greater 
quantities,  while  the  grains  were  larger  and  their 
edges  less  rounded.  Night  coming  on  they  returned 
to  the  cabin  down  the  ravine  to  wait  for  the  morning. 
Early  dawn  again  found  them  following  up  the 
float,  as  men  in  that  state  of  mind  do  not  sleep,  and 
before  noon  they  had  located  and  staked  the  great 
Cambrian  lode.  The  next  thing  to  do  was  to  return 
to  the  nearest  settlement  to  procure  powder,  drills, 
etc.,  with  which  to  sink  a  shaft  on  the  hard  quartz 
of  which  the  lead  was  composed. 

Safely  securing  the  cabin  door  to  protect  the  pro- 
visions from  the  ravages  of  wild  animals,  they  sad- 
dled their  horses  and  started  down  the  mountain  on 
their  way  to  the  nearest  supply  station.  Ten  days 
later  they  might  have  been  seen  retracing  their  steps 
toward  their  wonderful  find.  As  they  reached  the 
forks  of  the  stream,  one  branch  of  which  flowed  past 
their  cabin,  they  were  surprised  to  find  signs  of 
horses  having  gone  that  way.  Upon  closer  exami- 
nation they  were  made  out  to  be  either  prospectors 
like  themselves,  or  renegades,  as  they  were  shod, 
and  consequently  could  not  belong  to  Indians. 


A      TALE      OF      THE      ROCKIES  35 

Fearing  that  there  might  be  trouble  ahead  for 
them,  they  proceeded  up  the  ravine  very  cautiously, 
so  as  not  to  attract  the  attention  of  the  newcomers, 
should  they  be  in  the  neighborhood.  Robert  was 
riding  ahead,  scrutinizing  the  country  before  him, 
when  he  suddenly  drew  rein  and  motioned  his  com- 
panion to  ride  along-side.  They  had  now  come 
within  sight  of  their  cabin,  from  the  chimney  of 
which  was  issuing  a  blue  column  of  smoke,  indicat- 
ing that  it  was  in  the  possession  of  the  newcomers. 
The  fact  that  the  smoke  was  of  a  pale  blue  was  evi- 
dence to  Robert  that  it  had  been  occupied  for  some 
time,  as  a  new  fire  would  throw  off  black  and  dense 
fumes. 

While  Robert  was  engaged  in  making  these  obser- 
vations there  emerged  from  the  door  four  men,  in 
whose  hands  were  as  many  rifles,  while  nearby  was 
tethered  a  bunch  of  bronchos,  several  of  which  were 
saddled.  Not  knowing  just  what  course  to  pursue, 
Robert  and  Happy  concluded  to  make  a  bold  front 
and  ascertain  the  intentions  of  the  visitors.  They 
proceeded,  however,  but  a  short  distance  when  they 
were  observed  by  the  robbers,  for  such  they  proved 
to  be,  who  sprang  behind  the  cabin  and  began  firing 
at  them.  Robert  immediately  wheeled  his  horse 
about,  and  calling  to  Happy  to  follow,  galloped 
away  down  the  trail. 

After  getting  well  out  of  range  he  turned  to  see 
what  had  become  of  his  companion,  and  was  horri- 
fied to  see  him  stretched  upon  the  ground  with  blood 
flowing  from  a  wound  in  his  side.  Riding  quickly 
back  to  him,  Robert  dismounted  and  was  in  the  act 
of  lifting  him  to  a  position  behind  his  saddle,  when 
another  volley  was  fired,  and  several  bullets  whizzed 


36  THE      SINBAD      MINES: 

past  their  heads.  Hastily  climbing  into  the  saddle 
behind  his  companion,  he  gave  his  horse  the  spurs, 
and  they  rushed  down  the  valley  with  the  robbers  in 
hot  pursuit  close  behind  them. 

Realizing  that  the  outlaws  were  rapidly  gaining 
upon  them,  Robert  raised  himself  in  his  saddle,  and, 
glancing  back,  saw  that  the  leader  was  far  in  advance 
of  his  companions.  Reining  his  horse  a  little  to 
one  side,  he  drew  his  revolver  and  fired.  As  the 
smoke  cleared  away  it  was  evident  that  the  shot  had 
taken  effect,  as  the  robber's  horse  was  galloping  back 
upon  the  trail  riderless.  Not  daring  to  wait  longer 
he  turned  his  horse  into  a  draw  that  made  into  the 
hills,  and  taking  care  to  ride  on  the  bare  rocks  as 
much  as  possible,  managed  to  elude  his  pursuers,  as 
by  this  ruse  he  threw  them  entirely  off  his  trail,  and 
they  continued  on  down  the  ravine,  supposing  that 
he  had  gone  that  way. 

After  riding  until  he  was  almost  exhausted  with 
his  efforts  in  sustaining  Happy,  and  until  his  horse 
was  completely  winded,  they  reached  a  sheltered 
place  in  the  rock  where  there  was  a  small  stream  of 
water  bubbling  from  beneath  the  cliff.  Dismount- 
ing, Robert  was  encouraged  to  find  that  his  com- 
panion was  returning  to  consciousness,  and  that  the 
ball  had  not  cut  so  deep  as  he  had  at  first  feared. 
He  immediately  set  to  work  to  dress  the  wound  as 
best  he  could,  using  some  of  the  handkerchiefs  which 
had  been  given  him  by  Mrs.  Moulton  as  bandages. 
Ascertaining  that  none  of  the  clothing  or  other  sub- 
stance had  been  driven  into  the  wound,  he  built  a 
small  fire,  and  securing  some  pitch  from  the  many 
pines  which  grew  in  the  vicinity,  he  warmed  it  slight- 
ly and  spread  it  upon  the  wound,  and  then  applied 


A     TALE     OF     THE     ROCKIES  JfJ 

the  bandage.  As  he  was  about  finishing  the  task 
his  practiced  ear  caught  the  sound  of  hoofs  ap- 
proaching. 

To  spring  to  his  feet  with  his  gun  in  position  to 
fire  was  but  the  work  of  an  instant,  but  as  he  peered 
along  its  barrel  he  recognized  Happy's  horse,  which 
had  evaded  the  robbers  and  smelling  out  their  trail 
was  in  search  of  its  mate,  from  which  it  had  not 
been  separated  for  years.  Instead  of  firing  upon  the 
newcomer,  he  uttered  a  low  whistle,  when  the  faith- 
ful animal  came  trotting  up  to  where  his  master  lay 
upon  the  ground.  As  the  pack  behind  his  saddle 
was  still  in  position,  in  which  was  sufficient  food  for 
their  supper,  he  was  greeted  with  a  hearty  welcome. 
With  the  additional  means  furnished  by  the  pack 
Happy  was  made  as  comfortable  as  possible,  after 
which  the  fire  was  replenished  in  anticipation  of  a 
warm  supper. 

After  supping  his  coffee  and  partaking  of  some 
brown  toast  Happy  felt  somewhat  revived,  and  in- 
quired of  Robert  what  he  intended  to  do.  Robert 
replied  that  the  robbers  had  undoubtedly  overlooked 
their  trail  and  would  not  find  out  their  mistake  until 
after  nightfall,  consequently  they  would  be  safe  until 
morning  at  least.  After  finishing  the  meal  Robert 
ascended  the  cliff  back  of  them,  which  was  protected 
by  a  growth  of  dwarf  cedars,  and  examined  the 
country  in  all  directions.  As  he  was  gazing  down 
the  valley  in  the  direction  from  which,  they  had 
entered,  he  became  almost  breathless  as  he  saw 
several  horses  coming  directly  toward  them.  It  had 
now  become  so  dark  in  the  canon  on  account  of  its 
high  walls  that  he  could  not  distinguish  whether 


38  THE      SINBAD      MINES: 

they  were  mounted  or  not,  and  he  began  to  fear  that 
their  trail  had  been  discovered  by  the  outlaws. 

While  these  dismal  thoughts  were  occupying  his 
mind  he  caught  sight  of  something  on  the  back  of 
one  of  the  horses  that  glistened  in  the  fading  light, 
which  he  recognized  as  a  gold  pan,  and  a  moment 
later  he  was  running  down  the  path  toward  his  com- 
panion with  the  glad  news  that  their  pack  horses 
were  coming  up  the  trail,  and  that  they  would  soon 
be  in  possession  of  their  blankets,  provisions,  and 
implements,  all  of  which  were  essential  to  them,  es- 
pecially the  blankets,  as  it  would  not  be  safe  for 
Happy  to  lie  out  in  the  cold. 

Robert  lost  no  time  in  removing  the  burdens  from 
the  tired  and  hungry  animals,  and  they  were  soon 
feeding  on  the  short  but  sweet  grass  with  which  the 
little  interval  was  carpeted,  after  which  he  arranged 
the  beds  and  procured  some  wood  for  the  fire. 
Lighting  their  pipes,  they  began  to  plan  as  to  what 
was  the  best  course  to  pursue ;  that  they  would  have 
to  remain  in  the  place  until  Happy  recovered  was 
evident,  but  Robert  was  afraid  that  the  trail,  hav- 
ing been  traveled  by  so  many  horses,  might  be  dis- 
covered by  the  bandits,  when  it  would  be  followed 
up,  and  their  hiding  place  discovered. 

As  Robert  lay  by  the  fire  his  thoughts  reverted  to 
his  childhood ;  to  his  sainted  mother,  then  to  a  little 
girl,  and  he  wondered  if,  after  all  he  had  endured, 
he  was-  yet  to  lose  his  life  by  ruffians,  or  worse  yet, 
perish  from  starvation  far  from  home,  with  none  to 
tell  the  sad  story  of  his  fate.  Back  in  his  old  home 
he  saw  the  faces  of  many  a  loved  one;  the  corner 
by  the  fire,  his  mother  at  her  knitting,  and  it  seemed 


A      TALE     OF     THE     ROCKIES  39 

to  him  that  those  were  the  brightest  days  of  his  un- 
usually sad  and  unhappy  life,  and,  half  asleep,  he  fell 
to  dreaming  of  his  childhood's  happy  hours. 

CHILDHOOD'S  HAPPY  HOURS 

When  in  childhood's  happy  hour, 

In  my  early  home  I  knelt 
At  the  knee  of  her  who  now  has  passed  away, 

How  little  did  I  know 

Of  the  trials  of  this  life, 
In  my  childhood's  happy  days  of  long  ago ! 

May  the  memory  of  that  life 

Like  a  beacon's  welcome  gleam, 
Still  Guide  me  through  life's  ever-changing  storm; 

May  I  reach  that  shining  shore, 

There  to  meet  her  form  so  dear, 
In  that  happy  home  where  we  shall  part  no  more ! 


40  THE      SINBAD      MINES 


CHAPTER    II 

HE  moon  was  at  its  full,  and  as  it  rose 
above  the  eastern  horizon,  its  mellow 
beams  were  contrasted  with  the  dark 
shadows  that  were  thrown  across  the 
trail,  which  seemed  to  Robert  to  be  peopled 
with  robbers  and  beset  with  many  dangers. 
Every  sound  that  came  to  his  ear  startled  him,  unti! 
he  became  so  excited  that  it  was  impossible  for  him 
to  remain  longer  in  his  blanket.  Thinking  that  it 
might  relieve  his  mind  he  sauntered  down  the  ravine 
to  get  the  bracing  effect  of  the  cool  air.  Picking 
his  way  along  the  rocky  trail  and  hardly  realizing 
how  far  he  had  gone,  he  was  about  to  turn  back, 
when  he  noticed  in  the  soft  tele  of  the  soil  some  fresh 
horse  tracks,  and  a  little  below,  several  more. 

At  first  the  discovery  startled  him,  but  upon  closer 
examination  he  was  soon  convinced  that  they  were 
those  of  the  pack  horses,  which,  having  been  driven 
down  the  valley  by  the  firing,  had  taken  to  the  hills 
and  so  reached  their  camp.  This  was  of  importance 
to  them,  as  the  robbers  would  be  less  likely  to  dis- 
cover their  trail,  for  the  reason  that  the  horses  had 
left  the  valley  far  below  the.  mouth  of  the  canon, 
which  Robert  and  his  companion-  had  ascended,  and 
as  the  course  which  the  horses  had  taken  was  cov- 
ered with  loose  rocks,  it  would  be  difficult  for  the 
robbers  to  follow  them. 

Robert  also  reasoned  that  the  trail  of  the  pack 


A      TALE     OF     THE     ROCKIES  4! 

horses  as  they  continued  down  the  valley  had  been 
mistaken  for  that  of  their  saddle  horses.  This  was 
undoubtedly  the  reason  that  the  robbers  had  beer, 
misled,  and  that  they  had  succeeded  in  escaping. 
The  further  fact  that  they  had  not  followed  up  the 
pack  horses  was  reasonable  proof  that  the  con- 
clusion was  correct.  These  questions  satisfactorily 
answered,  Robert  concluded  to  remain  where  they 
were  until  Happy  was  able  to  travel,  as  he  was  con- 
vinced that  their  trail  would  not  be  discovered. 
Somewhat  composed,  he  returned  to  the  fire,  and 
again  stretching  himself  upon  the  blankets,  was 
soon  wrapped  in  slumber. 

The  morning  was  well  advanced  when  he  awoke 
to  find  Happy  sitting  by  the  fire  which  he  had  re- 
kindled, looking  much  better  for  his  night's  rest. 
All  thoughts  of  robbers  were  dismissed,  and  during 
the  following  days  the  time  was  spent  in  repairing 
their  outfit,  mending  and  washing  their  clothes,  etc.. 
until  Happy  declared  that  he  was  himself  again. 

One  morning,  after  corralling  their  horses  for 
safety,  they  determined  to  follow  the  cliffs  along 
until  they  should  reach  a  position  overlooking  their 
old  camp.  To  do  this  it  was  necessary  to  make  a 
considerable  detour  that  they  might  avoid  a  deep 
draw  which  made  into  the  main  valley.  When  they 
reached  the  opposite  bank  they  were  in  full  view  oi 
the  scenes  below,  and  were  surprised  to  find  th-it 
their  enemies  had  increased  in  number,  and  that  they 
had  commenced  operations  upon  the  lead  from  which 
they  had  recently  been  driven.  Observing  that 
there  was  a  strong  guard  continually  on  duty,  the 
prospectors  were  convinced  that  there  was  little  use 
in  trying  to  dislodge  them,  and  that  they  had  better 


42  THE    SINBAD    MINES: 

leave  them  peaceably  than  to  begin  a  fight,  which 
must  surely  result  in  several  deaths,  and  probably 
put  an  end  to  their  own  existence.  Happy  proposed 
that  they  return  again  to  the  lower  camps  and  enlist 
a  sufficient  number  of  miners  to  drive  them  away, 
but  Robert  argued  that  it  would  be  useless  to  do  so, 
for  the  reason  that  it  would  require  a  small  stand- 
ing army  to  protect  them,  as  the  bandits  would  re- 
turn, when  least  expected,  and  massacre  all  who 
were  found  in  the  camp. 

With  heavy  hearts  and  saddened  spirits  the  com- 
panions returned  to  their  rendezvous  much  discour- 
aged and  almost  ready  to  give  up  their  hazardous 
pursuit  and  return  to  civilization,  as  poor  as  when 
they  left  it.  However,  a  hearty  supper  and  refresh- 
ing sleep  renewed  their  drooping  energies  and  they 
resolved  to  prosecute  their  undertaking,  although 
they  were  again  compelled  to  return  to  the  city  to 
procure  more  supplies. 

Upon  reaching  town- Happy  fell  into  his  old  habits, 
spending  the  most  of  his  time  in  the  saloons,  from 
which  it  was  difficult  to  induce  him  to  return.  But 
for  the  many  good  traits  in  Happy's  character  Rob- 
ert would  have  left  him  to  his  own  indulgence,  but 
these  induced  him  to  make  one  more  effort  to  save 
his  companion  from  a  drunkard's  grave. 

Accordingly,  as  soon  as  the  spring  opened  the 
prospectors  were  again  headed  for  the  mountains, 
hoping  to  get  located  and  well  started  into  the 
ground  on  a  new  location  before  the  winter  set  in, 
as  when  the  deep  snow  came  it  would  put  a  stop  to 
all  prospecting  on  the  surface. 

After  spending  considerable  time  among  the  foot- 
hills the  prospectors  determined  to  move  farther  up 


A      TALE      OF      THE     ROCKIES  43 

the  canon  and  investigate  the  higher  peaks.  Day 
after  day  they  clambered  over  loose  tumble  and  slid 
down  draws  until,  tired  and  exhausted,  they  re- 
turned to  their  cabin  at  night,  downhearted  and  dis- 
couraged, to  awake  the  next  morning  ready  to  re- 
peat the  same  experiences  again  and  again,  ever 
•having  before  their  eyes  the  hidden  treasures  which 
they  were  certain  were  somewhere  awaiting  them; 
ever  dreaming  of  the  happiness  which  the  acquire- 
ment of  wealth  would  bring. 

Sometimes  a  rich  piece  of  float  would  be  brought 
to  light,  when  visions  of  fabulous  wealth  would 
fill  their  minds,  only  to  be  obliterated  by  the  dark 
shadows  of  disappointment.  But  in  connection  with 
Robert's  dream  of  wealth,  and  always  paramount 
to  it,  was  the  memory  of  a  beautiful  girl  whose 
image  ever  clung  to  his  mental  vision,  always  grow- 
ing brighter  and  more  desirable. 

In  former  years  the  picture  had  been  that  of  an 
innocent  child  with  beautiful  tresses  and  large,  in- 
quiring eyes,  which  seemed  to  see  only  the  good  and 
beautiful.  Then  her  form  gradually  took  on  that 
of  a  maturing  woman  with  a  retiring  disposition, 
full  of  womanly  graces  and  beaming  with  matured 
love.  As  Robert  gazed  at  the  picture  which  his 
fancy  had  painted,  it  seemed  to  him  that  the  pos- 
session of  such  a  beautiful  being  was  the  most  de- 
sirable of  all  earthy  acquisitions,  and  he  would  again 
renew  his  determination  to  make  himself  worthy  of 
his  ideal.  But  for  the  presence  of  this  beautiful  pic- 
ture Robert  would  have  given  up  the  struggle  long 
before  and  returned  to  the  scenes  of  crime  and  degra- 
dation which  at  that  time  controlled  the  greater  part 
of  the  inhabitants  of  the  great  mining  camps. 


44  THE    SINBAD    MINES: 

Whenever  he  thought  of  abandoning  his  under- 
taking the  sacred  face  of  his  mother  would  rise 
before  him,  while  the  promises  he  had  made  over 
her  grave  would  repeat  themselves  in  his  ears. 
Then,  as  her  fond  memory  filled  his  eyes  with  fall- 
ing tears,  there  would  devolop  from  his  grief,  like 
a  beautiful  rose  among  the  thorns,  the  fair  face  of 
the  only  one  in  the  world  whom  he  cared  to  love, 
the  face  that  was  all  the  world  to  him  and  for  whom 
he  would  gladly  brave  any  danger ;  a  love  that  had 
driven  him  to  that  wild  country  in  the  hope  that  some 
day  he  might  return  and  ask  the  privilege  of  adding 
to  her  comfort  and  happiness  by  bestowing  upon 
her  an  undivided  love  as  well  as  abundant  wealth. 

So  the  months  went  by,  and  the  winter  coming 
on,  they  were  obliged  to  return  to  the  lower  country, 
where  the  colder  months  were  spent  in  placer  wash- 
ing, which  furnished  them  with  the  means  with 
which  to  replenish  their  supplies  for  the  next  sum- 
mer's work. 

Years  came  and  went  while  the  two  wanderers 
continued  to  search  among  the  rocks  and  wilds  of 
nature  that  seemed  to  mock  their  efforts,  for 
although  they  had  prospected  over  the  western  ter- 
ritories, including  Arizona,  New  Mexico,  Nevada 
and  California,  they  had  failed  to  -find  that  for 
which  they  were  looking,  although  they  had  not 
given  up  in  despair. 

NEVER    DESPAIR 

Amid  the  hedge's  tangled  growth 

Are  blossoms  rich  and   rare. 
With  hues  of  purple,  gold  and  pink 

And    petals    wondrous    fair, 


A      TALE      OF      THE      ROCKIES  4$ 

Which  yield  their  fragrance  pure  and  sweet 

If  we  but  take  the  care 
To  catch   the   perfume  of  their  breath, 

E'en  though  some  thorns  may  tear. 

Along  the  mountain's  rocky  trail 

Are  pictures  bold  and  grand, 
Where    fevered   brows    and    aching    head 

By  bree.zes   soft  are   fanned ; 
And   dancing  brooks  their  music  lend 

To  gladden  all  the  land, 
If  we  but  mind  the  climbing  less, 

Nor  heed   the  burning   sand. 

So  through  our  lives  are  blessings  found 

Among  the  many  ills. 
Long,  winding  paths  of  sunny  slope, 

As  well   as   rugged   hills, 
Bright  rosy  morn  and  golden  day 

Succeed  to  dreary  night. 
When  faith  and  love  our  nature  fills — 

Then  all  the  world  is  bright. 

If  we  but  make  the  most  of  life, 

Its  pleasures  far  exceed 
The  toil  and  hardship  we  endure, 

Although  some  wounds  may  bleed ; 
Though  trials  dark  may  fill  our  lives 

With   sorrows   hard   to  bear, 
There's  still  a  balm  for  every  ill, 

A  joy  for  every  care. 

Our  lives,  if  right,  will  blessings  prove 

To  those  less  strong  than  we, 
If  we  but  act   an  honest  part, 

The  good  in  all  to  see ; 
If  we  but  do  the  best  we  can. 

Nor  judge  our  neighbor  wrong, 
Our  sighs  may  change  to  pleasant  smiles, 

Our  grief  to  joyous  song. 

So  let  us  try  with  honest  hearts 

To  scan  the   sunny  side, 
To  catch  the  odors  of  the  rose, 

Which  on  the  breezes  ride, 


46  THE    SINBAD    MINES: 

To  see  the  best  in  every  man, 

And   note   his    failings    less ; 
Then' living  will  be  sweet  indeed, 

Our    lives   a   grand    success. 

One  morning  in  the  latter  part  of  the  summer  our 
prospectors  might  have  been  seen  treking  their 
horses  through  the  mountain  current  of  the  Rio  San 
Juan,  heading  toward  the  shores  of  Colorado.  Dis- 
mounting upon  its  northern  bank,  they  proceeded 
to  examine  the  dirt  for  placer  dust.  Colors  were 
found,  but  not  in  sufficient  quantities  to  justify  its 
working.  As  they  progressed  toward  the  head- 
waters of  the  stream,  following  along  its  northern 
bank,  they  frequently  encountered  float  that  gave 
strong  indications  of  silver  in  combination  with  cop- 
per, and  generally  containing  well  marked  traces  of 
gold,  and  although  this  was  a  new  ore  to  Robert, 
he  was  satisfied  that  the  mother  vein  was  rich  in  all 
of  these  metals. 

Continuing  their  line  of  march  slightly  to  the 
north,  and  ascending  the  incline  or  watershed  of  the 
river,  just  before  sunset  one  evening,  they  came  in 
sight  of  the  snow-clad  peaks  of  the  Sierra  La  Salle 
mountains,  two  beautiful  cones  that  rear  their  heads 
above  the  surrounding  range,  and  whose  symmetri- 
cal summits,  covered  with  eternal  snow,  stand  like 
sentinels  guarding  the  valley  below.  Here,  Robert 
felt,  was  the  region  for  which  they  had  been  looking, 
and  he  already  began  to  anticipate  the  fortune  which 
he  fervently  believed  was  in  waiting  for  them. 

THE  GRANDEUR  OF  THE  MOUNTAINS 

How  grand  are  the  massive  old  Rockies, 
With  their  peaks  towering  high  in  the  air 

Their  summits  all  covered  with  glory, 
Their  foothills  with  verdure  most  rare. 


A      TALE      OF      THE      ROCKIES  47 

While  far  up  their  craggy  old  faces, 

Where  mosses  and  wild  lichens  creep, 
Among   the    dark   canons    and   gorges, 

The  wild  mountain  storms  lie  asleep. 

In  the  home  of  the  glistening  glacier 

Where  the  rocks  of  all  timber  are  bare. 
The  storm  king  holds  full  dominion, 

For  eternal  winter  reigns  there. 
While  far  below  lies  the  valley, 

Through  its  midst  flows  a  babbling  rill ; 
All  nature   smiles    in   contentment, 

And  the  soft  summer  breezes  are  still. 

The  red  deer  is  lazily  feeding 

On  the  bunches  of  buffalo  grass, 
While  his  form  in  the  pool  is  reflected, 

As  though   from  a  mirror  of  glass. 
Against  the  great  wall  of  the  mountain, 

As  if  humbly  kneeling  in  prayer, 
The  prostrate  form  of  the  foothills 

Reflect  back  the  soft  evening  glare, — 

Of  the  great  golden  orb  of  the  heavens, 

As  he  sinks  out  of  sight  in  the  west, 
He  kisses  their  upturned  faces, 

And  leaves  them  alone  to  their  rest ; 
But  still  for  a  moment  he  lingers, 

In    a  last,   fond,   loving  embrace, 
While  the  shades  in  the  picture  deepen 

Like  the  blush  on  a  fair  maiden's  face, — 

When  taking  sad  leave  of  her  lover, 

In  fear  that  he  may  not  return, 
Permits   love's   passion  within  her 

In  the  glow  of  her  pure  cheek  to  burn. 
The  crimson  soon  changes  to  purple, 

Slow  fades   the  last  rays  of  light; 
The  stars  come  out  in  the  heavens ; 

All  nature  is  lost  in  the  night. 

After  crossing  quite  a  saddle  in  the  mountains, 
which  appeared  to  be  the  foothills,  the  party  de- 
scended into  a  beautiful  valley  through  which 
flowed  a  sparkling  river,  which  Robert  was  informed 


THE      SINBAD      MINES: 


by  the  Indians  was  the  headwaters  of  the  Dolores. 
As  the  valley  extended  in  nearly  the  direction  they 
wished  to  move,  they  continued  on  down  its  banks 
feasting  on  the  many  trout  which  it  contained.  Deer 
and  antelope  were  also  abundant,  and  it  seemed  to 
the  prospectors  that  the  Great  Creator  had  formed 
in  this  valley  a  second  edition  of  the  Garden  of  Eden. 

Happy  remarked  that  he  did  not  see  the  necessity 
of  going  farther  on — of  continuing  their  search  for 
gold  or  silver,  which  could  be  of  no  use  to  them  if 
they  remained  where  they  were,  and  that  it  was 
foolish  for  anyone  to  desire  more  than  might  be  ob- 
tained where  they  were.  Although  he  said  this  in 
a  joke,  Robert  was  inclined  to  agree  with  him,  as 
the  question  had  actually  arisen  in  his  mind  whether 
it  would  not  be  better  for  them  to  remain  there  in 
that  semi-tropical  country,  away  from  the  cares  and 
aspirations  of  a  busy  world,  than  it  would  be  to  con- 
tinually long  for  wealth  and  honor,  for  well  did 
Robert  know  that  the  acquisition  of  either  might 
mean  the  destruction  of  all  peace  of  mind  and  the 
premature  advance  of  infirmities  and  old  age. 

But  the  mind  of  man  was  meant  to  grow  and  ad- 
vance, and  Robert  realized  that  he  was  not  meant 
to  live  entirely  to  himself;  that  it  was  his  duty  to 
do  something  for  others,  and  that  to  a  certain  degree 
he  was  bound  to  be  of  some  use  to  his  fellow  man. 
Consequently,  he  felt  it  his  duty  to  push  on  and  ac- 
complish that  which  he  had  undertaken,  that  some 
day  he  might  be  able  to  keep  the  promise  which  he 
had  made  at  his  mother's  grave. 

Especially  did  he  wish  to  provide  for  his  aged 
father,  although  he  still  smarted  under  the  unjust 
treatment  which  he  had  received  at  his  hands.  Rob- 


A     TALE     OF     THE     ROCKIES  49 

ert  also  remembered  the  little  Bible,  and  often,  as 
he  perused  its  sacred  pages,  did  his  heart  warm  to- 
ward the  one  whose  childish  hand  had  given  it  to 
him,  and  he  would  wonder,  if,  in  her  far-distant 
home,  she  ever  thought  of  the  wandering  boy  to 
whom  she  had  given  an  object  in  life  and  the  privi- 
lege of  dreaming  of  future  happiness,  and  again 
looking  into  her  honest  eyes  while  he  claimed  the 
reward  for  which  he  had  so  long  labored — her  pure 
love. 

I  knew  a  little  maiden,  long  ago, 

Among   the   hills, 
-And  the  love  I  learned  to  cherish 

Even  now  my  bosom  fills, 
I  still  can  see  her  beaming  face 

And  hear  her  loving  voice, 
She's  the  dearest  girl  I  ever  knew, 

My  first  and  only  choice. 

As  I  wander  o'er  the  mountains, 

'Mid  the  rocks  and   dreary  sands, 
My  heart  is  filled  with  thoughts  of  her 

I  dream  of  other  lands, 
I  hear  the  murmer  of  the  sea, 

I   scent  the  salted  air; 
I  long  to  hear  her  coming  step, 

The   one   of  all    most    fair. 

I  long  to  see  that  form  again, 

To  meet  her  winsome  smile ; 
My  .heart  is  sick  with  thoughts  of  her, — 

I  sorrow  all  the  while. 
O,  may  the   time  but  quickly  come 

When    we   shall  meet  again. 
The  sight  of  her  would  heal  the  wound, — 

'Twould  ease  the  aching  pain. 

I    long   to    hold   her   in    my   arms, 

To  clasp  her  to  my  breast, 
To  make  her  life  a  dream  of  love, 

Her  home  a  place  of  rest. 
Beside  the   rolling   river, 

In  the  valley  of  the  Grand, 
Where  towering  peaks  and  fertile  plains 

By  breezes  soft  are  fanned. 


50  THE    SINBAD    MINES: 

I'll  never  care  again  to  cross 

The  plains  or  great  divide, 
For  my  heart  will  be  contended 

With  my  darling  by  my  side. 
I'll  make  a  home  among  the   hills, 

Upon  the  western  slope; 
No  wish   will    mar   my   happiness ; 

I'll  have  my  fondest  hope. 

I'll  never  care  for  riches, 

Nor  for  honor  or  estate, 
But  I'll  sing  a  song  of  happiness, 

A  love-song  to  my  mate. 
And  when  my  days  are  failing  fast, 

And   death   is   drawing  nigh, 
I'll   kiss   my   love  of   long   ago, 

But  never  heave  a  sigh. 

After  spending  several  weeks  in  securing  a  large 
quantity  of  meat,  which  was  dried  and  smoked  for 
winter  use,  they  again  proceeded  on  their  journey 
toward  the  peaks  that  seemed  almost  to  overshadow 
them,  but  which  they  knew  were  many  days'  jour- 
ney towards  the  north. 

Indications  of  the  presence  of  silver  were  contin- 
ually met  with  and  the  assurances  that  they  were 
rapidly  approaching  the  source  from  which  it  came 
were  multiplied  on  all  sides.  Small  streams  which 
made  their  way  out  of  the  higher  country  had 
washed  down  many  pieces  of  float,  while  the  water 
in  many  instances  was  so  thoroughly  mineralized  as 
to  give  it  a  greenish  color  and  render  it  unfit  for 
domestic  use. 

These  were  proofs  to  the  prospectors  that  their 
wanderings  were  nearly  at  an  end,  and  that  they 
would  soon  be  located  on  enormous  lodes  of  rich 
ore.  The  early  fall  weather  was  typical,  and  the 
nights  pictures  of  loveliness,  the  equal  of  which 
may  not  be  seen  in  any  other  part  of  the  world. 


A      TALE     OF     THE     ROCKIES  51 

NIGHT 

The  earth  is  wrapped  in  silence  deep, 

The  stars  shine  out  on  high, 
While  fitful  beams  of  mellow   light 

Illume  the  northern  sky, 
Above  the  western  range  is  hung 

The  angry  orb  of  Mars, 
And  all  above  the  sky  is  set, 

Like  diamonds,   with  the  stars. 

And   slowly   rising  from   her  couch 

With  love  and  beauty  blessed, 
Fair  Venus   smiles  upon   the   scene 

Above   the  mountain's  crest. 
Across  the  clear  blue  canopy, 

A  path  of  gleaming  light, 
The  milky  way  is  grandly  arched, — 

The  diadem  of  night. 

A  meteor  blazes  on  its  way 

Adown  the  eastern  sky, 
It  seems  to  light  the   glow   of  morn, 

Which  sends   its  beams   on   high; 
They  slowly  climb  the  azure  vault; 

The  stars  are  hid  from  sight ; 
The  peaks  are  crowned  with  golden  hues, — 

The  earth  is  bathed  in  light. 

Far  toward  the  west  the  giant  hills 

Are  basking  in  the  ray 
That  struggles  through  the  mountain  gap, — 

The   harbinger   of   day. 
The  sun  with  splendor  fills  the  land, 

The  night  is  changed  to  morn, 
The   hills   and  valleys   all  rejoice, — 

Another  day  is  born. 

The  prospectors  continued  their  course  down  the 
river,  which  gradually  became  larger  as  it  received 
additional  streams  on  either  side,  until  they  reached 
a  deep  chasm  which  extended  toward  the  west,  and 
seemed  all  but  inaccessible  on  account  of  the  great 
amount  of  tumble  which  had  fallen  from  the  walls, 


52  THE      SINBAD      MINES: 

as  well  as  from  its  extreme  narrowness.  Indeed,  it 
looked  more  like  a  great  crack  in  the  gigantic  wall 
of  rock  than  it  did  like  a  natural  water  course. 

Down  this  canon  trickled  a  small  stream  of  water, 
which  was  of  a  greenish  color,  and  from  the  sur- 
face of  which  continually  arose  a  dense  cloud  of 
steam,  the  odor  of  which  was  very  offensive.  Upon 
inspecting  the  water  carefully  and  noting  its  high 
temperature,  Robert  was  convinced  that  it  not  only 
contained  copper  and  sulphur,  but  small  quantities 
of  the  precious  metals,  as  it  was  a  saturated  solution 
of  common  salt. 

Thinking  that  it  must  come  from  a  volcanic  form- 
ation and  that  its  source  could  not  be  far  away,  from 
the  fact  of  its  high  temperature,  he  determined  to 
follow  it  up  and  investigate  the  country  from  which 
it  came. 

Upon  entering  the  canon,  although  it  was  but  a 
little  after  noon,  as  they  gazed  through  the  crevice 
over  their  heads,  they  were  astonished  to  see  the 
stars  shining  brightly.  This  phenomenon  was  due 
to  the  great  depth  of  the  canon  and  the  fact  that 
nearly  all  light,  except  from  above,  was  excluded 
from  it.  At  another  point  great  shelves  projecte  1 
from  the  walls  of  rock,  shutting  out  the  sky  entirely, 
while  at  the  same  time  they  seemed  to  be  upon  the 
point  of  falling  upon  the  observers. 

At  a  sharp  bend  in  the  ravine  they  came  upon  a 
mass  of  rock  which  seemed  to  obstruct  the  way  en- 
tirely and  they  were  compelled  to  dismount  before 
advancing  farther. 

After  having  looked  about  for  a  considerable 
time,  Happy  remarked  that  the  only  way  open  for 
their  further  progress  was  by  urging  their  horses  up 


A     TALE     OF     THE     ROCKIES  53 

the  side  of  a  mass  of  tumble,  which  formed  a  rude 
stairway,  leading  nearly  to  the  face  of  the  rocky  wall, 
composed  of  red  sandstone,  which  at  some  former 
time  had  fallen  from  the  cliff  above.  By  consider- 
able urging  and  the  free  use  of  their  quirts  they  fin- 
ally succeeded  in  inducing  their  horses  to  make  the 
ascent,  where  they  found  themselves  crowded  in 
between  the  rocks  so  closely  that  it  was  impossible 
for  them  to  retrace  their  steps,  but,  by  breaking  the 
corners  from  those  which  projected  farthest  into  the 
proposed  trail,  they  succeeded  in  reaching  the  mouth 
of  a  small  ravine,  down  which  trickled  a  tiny  rivulet 
of  sweet  water,  which  nourished  a  small  plot  of 
grass  upon  its  narrow  banks. 

Here  they  concluded  to  camp  for  the  night,  and, 
after  gathering  some  driftwood  and  spreading  their 
blankets,  Happy  proceeded  to  get  supper,  while  his 
companion  inspected  the  bed  of  the  stream  for  any 
mineral  which  might  be  lodged  in  the  sand.  He 
found  the  same  indications  which  he  had  noticed  at 
the  mouth  of  the  stream,  but  the  amount  of  float  was 
greater,  and  the  colors  in  the  bottom  of  the  pan 
more  numerous. 

Immense  trees,  that  at  some  time  had  stood  on  the 
mountain  side  above,  were  found  imbedded  in  the 
sand  where  they  had  become  petrified,  although  they 
still  retained  the  resemblance  of  wood,  their  fibers 
showing  as  plainly  as  when  they  were  first  deposited 
there. 

Robert  was  astonished  to  find  that  even  this  sub- 
stance contained  considerable  mineral,  it  having  been 
deposited  by  secondary  crystallization;  both  gold 
and  silver  being  present  in  considerable  quantities. 

Satisfied  that  they  were  on  the  right  trail,  Robert 


54  THE    SINBAD    MINES: 

returned  to  camp  to  find  a  smoking  hot  supper  await- 
ing him.  The  horses  having  already  rilled  them- 
selves, had  returned  to  the  fire  and  were  quietly  en- 
joying its  genial  warmth.  As  Robert  lay  gazing  at 
the  wild  and  broken  country  which  was  spread  out 
before  him,  still  showing  the  effects  of  the  wonder- 
ful upheavals  which  at  some  remote  period  had  con- 
vulsed it,  his  thoughts  went  back  to  the  creation  and 
to  the  scenes  which  must  have  taken  place  when 
those  tremendous  forces  were  in  operation. 

As  he  dwelt  upon  the  terrible  explosions 
which  must  have  shaken  the  foundations  of  the 
earth,  his  mind  became  dazed  with  the  stupendous 
works  of  nature,  and  he  wondered  at  the  love  and 
care  of  the  Creator,  who  had  so  guided  all  of  these 
destructive  influences  as  to  make  them  subserve  His 
will  in  reducing  the  elements  to  such  a  condition  as 
to  provide  for  man  a  habitation  filled  with  the 
beauties  of  nature,  and  supplied  with  all  that  the 
human  heart  can  desire. 

THE  OMNIPOTENCE  AND  LOVE  OF  GOD 

Dense  darkness  shrouds  all  space  in  gloom 

No  light  can  pierce  the  cloud, 
Chaotic  nature  whirls  along, 

While  hissing  craters  thunder  loud. 
The  vales  are  filled  with  vapors  foul, 

And  sulphurous  gasses  load  the  air ; 
No  living  creature  moves  about, 

Or  heeds  the  lightening's  fearful  glare. 

When,  Lo!  a  voice  in  master  tones 

Commands,  "Let  there  be  light !" 
And  in   the  east  the   darkness   lifts, 

The  sun  o'ercomes  the  night. 
Again  His  fiat  goes  abroad, 

The  dry  land  rises  high ; 
The  massive  clouds  are  parted  wide, 

Behold  the  azure  sky. 


A      TALE      OF      THE      ROCKIES  55 

And  soon  upon  the  solid  earth 

Great  forests  fast  appear; 
The  soil  is  clothed  in  carpets  green, 

And  voices  sweet  ring  clear, 
While  through  the  glades  and  mountain  dells 

In  freedom  roam  the  deer. 
All  nature  smiles  in  happy  mood, 

Without  one  thought  of  fear. 

And  God  saw  all  His  works  were  good, 

The  earth  which  He  had  made; 
With  all   the  creatures   formed   by   Him, 

The  trees   and  tender  blade. 
But   why   create    so    grand    a    scene 

With  none  His  love  to  share? 
For  even  God  would  be  less  great, 

Were  none  to  offer  prayer. 

He  called  in  council,  "Him  who  was," 

Before  the  world  began. 
They  formed  an  image  like  themselves, 

From  clay  they  formed  a  MAN. 
He  breathed  within  his  nostrils  wide 

Of  life,  the  fleeting  breath, 
And  he  became  a  LIVING  SOUL; 

Not  subject  unto  death. 

For  how  could  God  condemn  to  death 

His  holy  spark  within, 
Which  makes  its  owner   recognize 

Between  God's  will  and  sin? 
It  came  from  God  and  goes  to  Him, 

Of  God  it  is  a  part: 
It  changes  flesh,  from  BRUTE  to  MAN, 

And  adds  a  human  heart! 

And  although  driven  from  His  sight, 

From  Eden's  happy  place, 
And  doomed  to  eat  his  daily  bread 

With    sweat   upon   his    face, 
God  still  remembered  all  His  love 

And  watched  His  wayward  child; 
He  cared  for  him  in  danger's  hour 

And  soothed  his  fears,  so  wild. 


56  THE    SINBAD    MINES: 

He  cares  for  us  through  life  and  death ; 

For  us  He  gave  His  son, 
That  none   might   be   forever   lost : — 

He  died  for  every  one. 
He  died  for  us,  and  not  Himself, 

From  sin  His  life  was  free ; 
'Twas  for  our  sins  the  Saviour  died — 

For  love  of  you  and  me. 

And  greater  love  can  no  man  have 

(For  God  was  man  most  sure) 
For  e'en  His  foes  He  gave  His  life, 

His  life  from  sin  so  pure, 
And  when  this  flesh  shall  turn  to  dust 

And  mingle   with   the  earth, 
The  soul  will  go  to  Him,  who  gave 

It  to  our  care,  at  birth. 

And  if  through  life  we  keep  it  pure, 

And  free  from  stains  of  sin, 
To  all  the  joys  of  Heavenly  bliss 

It,  free,  will  enter  in. 
But  if  its  beauty  has  been  marred 

By  acts  we  might  control, 
It  had  been  better  for   that  man 

If  he  had  had  no  soul. 


A      TALE     OF     THE     ROCKIES  57 


CHAPTER    III 

|T  SEEMED  to  Robert  that  he  had  just  lain 
down  when  it  was  broad  daylight,  and, 
turning  to  his  companion,  he  was  about 
to  call  him,  when  he  discovered  that  Happy 
had  been  up  for  some  time,  as  the  pleasant  odor  of 
boiling  coffee  was  wafted  to  his  nostrils. 

Soon  after  leaving  camp  they  emerged  from  the 
canon,  where  spread  out  in  front  of  them  lay  a  beau- 
tiful valley,  the  outlet  of  which  they  had  been 
traversing.  Pushing  along  as  fast  as  possible  under 
the  circumstances,  they  soon  found  themselves  sur- 
rounded by  beautiful  scenery  in  the  midst  of  a  val- 
ley which  appeared  to  be  about  seven  by  fifteen  miles 
between  walls,  and  entirely  surrounded  by  cliffs, 
which  looked  to  be  impassable  except  where  they  had 
entered. 

Great  herds  of  deer  were  quietly  feeding  on  a 
most  luxuriant  growth  of  blue  joint,  while  at  every 
few  steps  "coveys"  of  grouse  would  rise  from  the 
ground  and  fly  to  a  safe  distance.  The  country  rock 
was  limestone,  under  which,  exposed  in  several 
places,  were  croppings  of  dead  granite,  and  as  all 
these  showed  a  marked  porphyritic  condition,  it  was 
evident  to  them,  taking  into  consideration  the  con- 
tour of  the  valley,  that  they  were  traversing  the 
crater  of  an  extinct  volcano. 

Still  following  the  course  of  the  stream  they  were 


58  THE     SINBAD      MINES: 

glad  to  find  that  it  had  lost  its  saline  character,  and 
that  the  water  was  soft  and  potable.  This  was  due 
to  the  fact  that  the  water  came  from  the  top  of  the 
mountains  in  a  pure  condition,  but  was  soon  satur- 
ated with  minerals  which  it  dissolved  from  the  vol- 
canic debris  which  choked  up  its  course  in  the  lower 
valley. 

Upon  reaching  a  suitable  place  near  the  stream, 
they  decided  to  camp  for  a  few  days  and  thoroughly 
explore  what,  to  them,  was  a  most  wonderful  coun- 
try, and  which  proved  in  the  future  to  be  well  worth 
their  time  and  trouble.  Straying  from  the  camp  a 
short  distance  in  search  of  fuel,  Robert  entered  a 
large  bunch  of  bull  grass  'which  stood  some  eight  or 
ten  feet  high,  where  he  found  a  trail  leading  from  the 
creek  toward  and  through  the  growth.  Calling  to 
Happy,  they  followed  it  up,  soon  coming  to  a  "dug- 
out" which  had  evidently  been  constructed  as  an 
underground  fortress  or  place  of  safety.  It  had 
been  excavated  in  a  small  mound  which  was  entirely 
overgrown  with  jack-pines,  which  effectually  con- 
cealed it;  as  the  middle  of  the  mound  was  consid- 
erably hieher  than  the  surrounding  country,  it  had 
the  appearance  of  a  small  bunch  of  timber. 

Many  other  such  groves  were  to  be  seen  which 
looked  exactly  like  it,  but  which  were  really  what  this 
one  appeared  to  be.  In  front  of  the  door  was  the 
grass  spoken  of,  completely  hiding  the  entrance. 
Upon  entering  the  place,  they  found  themselves  in 
a  commodious  room  some  twenty  by  thirty  feet  in 
size,  at  the  farthest  end  of  which  was  a  large  fire- 
place, conveniently  arranged  for  cooking,  while  at 
the  other  end  were  sleeping  bunks  that  had  evidently 
done  service  as  beds  for  their  occupants.  Imme- 


A     TALE     OF     THE     ROCKIES  59 

diately  behind  the  bunks,  and  partly  hidden  by  a 
deer  skin,  which  had  formerly  entirely  concealed  it, 
was  an  opening  barely  large  enough  to  admit  a  man 
in  a  stooping  position. 

Upon  entering  this  passage  way  it  was  followed 
some  two  hundred  feet,  where  it  emerged  in  a  large 
bunch  of  sage-brush,  which  was  so  dense  that  it 
was  difficult  for  the  prospectors  to  find  their  way 
out.  This  had  undoubtedly  been  a  secret  passage 
for  the  occupants,  through  which  they  could  enter 
or  leave  unknown  to  their  enemies.  To  the  left  of 
the  door  was  also  a  small  excavation  lined  with 
rough  slabs  which  had  been  split  from  trees,  the 
bark  having  been  left  on.  This  recess  was  so  ar- 
ranged that  any  one  occupying  it  might  command  a 
complete  view  of  the  approach,  and  continually  cover 
any  comer  with  his  weapons  unknown  to  him. 
Through  crevices  which  had  been  made  in  the  bark 
it  would  be  easy  to  shoot  down  anyone  who  might 
attempt  to  enter,  even  before  he  was  aware  that"  he 
was  in  danger. 

This  "bay-window"  did  not  appear  from  the  out- 
side at  all,  and  it  was  evident  that  it  had  been  used 
on  many  occasions,  as  the  earthen  seat  which  pro- 
jected from  the  back  of  the  alcove  was  well  worn, 
and  had  the  appearance  of  having  seen  active  ser- 
vice for  a  long  time.  Many  empty  cartridge  shells 
were  strewn  about  the  floor  and  resting  in  the  cracks 
of  the  wall.  The  timbers  were  also  powder-burned 
and  smoked  in  many  places,  telling  but  too  plainly 
that  the  occupants  had  many  times  been  engaged  in 
desperate  conflicts  with  those  who  assailed  them 
from  the  outside.  • 

Over  the  fire-place  was  found  tobacco,  pipes,  and 


6O  THE      SINBAD      MINES: 

papers,  besides  several  other  articles,  while  cooking 
utensils  were  suspended  from  its  stone  front.  To 
the  right  of  the  fire-place  there  bubbled  from  the 
depths  below  a  cool  spring  of  water  which  trickled 
through  the  wall  and  spreading  out,  irrigated  the 
giant  bull  grass  which  protected  the  door. 

After  having  thoroughly  examined  the  place,  the 
prospectors  concluded  that  its  inhabitants,  whoever 
they  were,  had  been  absent  for  a  long  time,  and 
further,  that  they  were  whites.  These  conclusions 
were  arrived  at  from  different  articles  which  were 
found,  the  manner  in  which  the  place  was  protected, 
and  the  furniture.  Several  copies  of  the  "New 
York  Ledger"  and  other  eastern  papers  were  among 
the  effects  of  the  place. 

After  airing  the  place  and  making  it  as  habitable 
as  possible,  a  fire  was  started  in  the  arch,  the 
blankets  spread  on  the  bunks,  and  a  supply  of  wood 
gathered  for  the  night.  After  supper,  as  they  sat 
about  the  fire  which  lighted  up  all  parts  of  the  cabin, 
Robert  noticed  upon  a  stone  shelf  above  the  spring 
a  dusty  package  which  proved  to  contain  blasting 
powder  and  a  coil  of  fuse.  These,  together  with  the 
"iact  that  several  drills  had  been  found  under  the 
bunks,  satisfied  him  that  the  place  had  been  the 
home  of  miners  who,  for  some  reason,  had  quit  work. 

The  next  problem  would  be  to  find  their  work- 
ings, as  Robert  was  confident  that  they  had  not  left 
them  for  want  of  pay  mineral,  and  he  determined 
if  possible  to  locate  them.  Happy  sat  smoking  his 
pipe  and  painting  dream-pictures  of  the  many  happy 
days  that  were  to  come  to  them,  while  Robert  con- 
tinued to  search  among  the  rubbish  which  was  piled 
near  the  foot  of  the  bunks,  and  of  which  they  had 


A      TALE     OF     THE      ROCKIES  6l 

made  no  disposition.  Among  this  was  found  sev- 
eral specimens  of  ore,  one  of  which,  after  examin- 
ing-, he  handed  to  his  companion  with  the  remark : 

"This  is  what  we  are  hunting  for." 

The  specimen  was  quartz,  showing  by  its  sharp 
edge  that  it  had  been  broken  from  the  lead,  and  from 
its  structure  Robert  knew  that  it  came  from  far 
below  the  surface.  The  prospectors  were  positive 
now  that  they  were  on  the  right  trail,  and  hoped  soon 
to  find  the  lead.  They  also  believed  from  these 
specimens  that  their  most  sanguine  expectations 
would  be  fully  realized,  as  the  sample  which  Happy 
held  in  his  hand  was  practically  solid  ore,  and  of 
the  most  reducible  kind  at  that. 

It  was  far  into  the  night  before  the  men  could 
compose  themselves  sufficiently  to  sleep,  as  they 
were  excited  over  their  find  and  the  mystery  which 
surrounded  their  present  position,  as  well  as  the 
many  conjectures  as  to  why  the  original  owners 
should  have  left  such  valuable  property.  There  were 
many  other  questions  which  they  asked  themselves, 
but  which  only  the  future  could  answer. 

Upon  emerging  from  the  cabin  the  following 
morning  they  found  the  sun  far  up  in  the  heavens, 
as  the  previous  day's  exertion  had  caused  them  to 
oversleep.  Partaking  of  a  hasty  breakfast,  and  se- 
curing a  small  lunch,  the  prospectors  shouldered  the 
necessary  tools  and  began  the  search  for  the  old 
workings. 

They  had  proceeded  but  a  little  way  when  it  oc- 
curred to  Happy  that  it  might  be  a  good  thing  to 
erect  some  kind  of  a  landmark,  that  they  might  not 
lose  their  way  upon  returning  in  the  evening.  This 
proved  to  be  of  the  utmost  importance,  for  when 


62  THE      SINBAD      MINES: 

they  had  gone  but  a  short  distance  it  would  have 
been  difficult  for  them  to  return  but  for  the  signal. 
Such  being  the  case  then,  later  in  the  day  when  the 
fire  had  died  out  and  the  smoke  from  the  chimney 
ceased  to  arise,  it  would  have  been  impossible  for 
them  to  have  returned  to  their  now-comfortable 
quarters. 

First  they  made  a  circuit  of  the  premises  in  search 
of  the  old  trail,  but  finding  none,  they  concluded 
that  the  old  occupants  had  left  their  rendezvous 
from  the  hidden  passage  in  the  sage-brush.  They, 
however,  soon  gave  up  all  hope  of  finding  the  origi- 
nal trail,  for  the  reason  that  it  was  more  than  prob- 
able the  miners  had  worn  moccasins,  when  of  course 
they  would  make  no  trail  on  the  rocks ;  and  had  there 
existed  one  across  the  patches  of  sand,  it  would  long 
ago  have  been  effaced  by  the  elements. 

Believing  that  the  workings  must  be  in  the  foot- 
hills above  them,  they  concluded  to  ascend  the  grade 
and  inspect  the  several  draws  which  made  out  into 
the  valley,  in  hopes  that  they  might  locate  the 
"dump,"  or  find  where  the  trees  had  been  cut  to  use 
in  timbering  the  mine. 

After  spending  the  greater  part  of  the  day  and 
finding  nothing  of  importance,  they  were  returning 
to  the  cabin  when  Robert,  who  was  some  distance  in 
advance  of  his  companion,  caught  his  "leggin"  in 
some  obstacle  which  was  partially  concealed  in  the 
brush.  Upon  bringing  it  to  view  it  proved  to  be  an 
old  drill.  This  was  presumptive  evidence  that  the 
trail  to  and  from  the  shaft  had  passed  near  this  point, 
as  it  extended  from  the  cabin  toward  the  hills.  It 
was  evident  that  the  drill  had  been  dropped  acci- 


A      TALE      OF      THE      ROCKIES  6$ 

dently  by  one  of  the  workmen,  or  possibly  been 
thrown  there  for  concealment. 

As  it  was  rapidly  growing  dark  it  now  became 
difficult  to  continue  the  search  further,  and  the  pros- 
pectors returned  to  their  strange  quarters  feeling 
that,  although  they  had  not  found  the  mine,  they  had 
discovered  that  which  would  probably  lead  them 
to  it. 

On  the  following  morning  while  Happy  was  cook-- 
ing the  breakfast  Robert  made  some  careful  obser- 
vations in  regard  to  the  find  of  the  previous  even- 
ing, and  the  position  of  the  cabin  in  relation  to  the 
foothills,  and  by  making  allowance  for  the  contour 
of  the  ground  he  was  quite  positive  he  had  located 
the  dump;  that  is,  he  believed  that  among  a  clump 
of  trees  which  nearly  filled  the  mouth  of  one  of  the 
draws  would  be  found  that  for  which  they  were 
looking. 

After  perhaps  a  couple  of  hours  of  hard  climbing 
they  stood  at  the  edge  of  the  timber,  which  had 
looked  from  below  as  though  it  was  but  a  little  more 
than  a  clump  of  sage-brush,  but  which  turned  out 
upon  closer  inspection  to  be  large  timber.  Thinking 
that  it  must  have  been  standing  there  for  many 
years,  Robert  was  about  to  give  up  the  idea  that  it 
could  have  grown  since  the  mine  was  worked,  when 
his  eye  caught  sight  of  a  pile  of  loose  rock  which 
he  knew  must  have  been  placed  in  position  by  some 
force  other  than  nature. 

Pushing  aside  the  undergrowth,  they  made  their 
way  up  the  incline,  which  proved  to  be  the  edge  of 
the  old  dump,  and  a  moment  later  they  stood  at  the 
mouth  of  a  tunnel  which  descended  into  the  earth 
at  an  angle  of  some  forty-five  degrees.  As  it  was 


64  THE    SINBAD    MINES: 

very  dark,  Happy  lighted  a  pitch  knot,  and  the 
miners  descended  the  shaft,  which  now  dipped  to 
nearly  a  perpendicular. 

Carefully  making  their  way  down  the  rotten  tim- 
bers which  scarcely  sustained  the  hanging  wall, 
they  reached  the  bottom  in  safety,  where  they  found 
themselves  confronted  by  the  mouth  of  a  cross-cut, 
which  extended  along  the  wall  on  either  hand,  and 
which  showed  an  immense  body  of  rich  ore.  In 
many  places  the  roof  had  caved  in,  and  the  floor 
was  piled  high  with  great  heaps  of  broken  rock, 
over  which  they  were  obliged  to  climb.  Several 
"faults"  were  visible  in  the  formation,  but  the  off- 
set had  not  been  sufficient  to  hide  the  ore  body, 
as  it  could  be  readily  followed  through  the  whole 
extent  of  the  cross-cut. 

Satisfied  that  they  were  now  in  possession  of 
probably  the  richest  mine  of  its  kind  in  the  known 
world,  they  returned  to  the  surface  and  began  to 
look  for  the  discovery  notice,  which  they,  however, 
hardly  expected  to  find,  for  the  reason  that  they  were 
so  far  from  civilization  that  it  was  probable  the  dis- 
coverer had  not  deemed  it  important  to  post  one, 
or  if  he  had  done  so  at  the  time,  it  was  undoubt- 
edly long  since  destroyed  by  the  elements. 

However,  they  were  soon  rewarded  by  finding 
written  on  the  smooth  surface  of  a  rock  this  notice : 

"THE  SINBAD  GOLD,  SILVER  AND  COPPER  LODE 

"We,  the  undersigned,  claim  fifteen  hundred  feet  from 
this  stake  in  a  northwesterly  direction,  and  one  hundred  and 
fifty  feet  on  either  side  of  this  stake,  with  all  its  dips,  angles 
and  spurs. 

"January  27,  1861. 

(Signed.)  "JOHN   CONWAY. 

"RICHARD  RHODES." 


A      TALE      OF      THE      ROCKIES  65 

And  over  the  mouth  of  this  shaft  was  written : 
"THE  PRIMA  DONNA  MINE" 

This  was  probably  all  that  would  ever  be  known 
of  the  men  who,  long  ago,  had  cherished  hopes  as 
bright  as  did  those  who  now  stood  facing  the  few 
lines  which  told  all  that  was  known  of  the  original 
locators  of  this  wonderful  property.  Hopes  had 
been  blighted,  and  lives  gone  out  without  realizing 
any  of  the  bright  anticipations  which  had  lured 
them  on  to  risk  their  lives  and  fortunes  for  the 
happiness  that  never  came,  and  the  wealth  that  was 
not  theirs.  This  alone  stood  as  a  monument  to  the 
unknown. 

Having  secured  samples  of  the  ore  from  the  entire 
breast  of  the  cross-cut,  the  prospectors,  or  rather 
miners,  now  that  they  had  found  the  mine,  returned 
to  their  cabin  and  proceeded  to  examine  and  assay 
their  specimens,  which  Robert  found  to  be  very 
rich  in  the  carbonate  of  copper,  running  over  sixty 
per  cent  in  that  mineral,  two  hundred  ounces  in  sil- 
ver, and  one  hundred  dollars  in  gold, — the  total 
value  being  in  the  neighborhood  of  five  hundred 
dollars  per  ton!  These  results  were  so  far  above 
what  they  had  dared  to  expect  that  several  assays 
were  run  to  avoid  any  possible  mistakes  that  might 
have  been  made,  always  with  the  same  result. 

With  an  immense  body  of  pay  rock  in  sight,  and 
out-croppings  on  the  surface  that  could  be  traced 
for  several  hundred  feet,  it  was  not  strange  that  the 
now-wealthy  miners  felt  very  much  elated  over  their 
find.  Robert  now  made  arrangements  to  visit  the 
nearest  settlement,  leaving  Happy  to  protect  the 
property,  which  he  assured  him  he  would  do  at  all 


66  THE      SINBAD      MINES: 

hazards.  Consequently,  a  few  days  after  the  dis- 
covery, Robert  was  on  his  way  to  a  small  trading 
post  known  as  Grand  Junction,  located  in  the  Grand 
valley  about  one  hundred  miles  to  the  north,  form- 
erly owned  by  the  Indians,  but  recently  opened  to 
settlement  by  the  whites,  where  he  hoped  to  interest 
capitalists,  and  thereby  secure  means  to  develop  the 
property. 

He  was  well  aware  that  it  would  require  con- 
siderable means  to  build  trails,  erect  smelters,  and 
otherwise  put  the  mine  in  working  condition,  and 
that  they  would  then  still  be  obliged  to  wait  until 
the  railroad,  which  was  at  that  time  being  extended 
from  the  city  of  Denver,  had  reached  the  Grand  val- 
ley before  they  would  be  able  to  dispose  of  either 
the  mines  or  their  products,  it  mattered  little  how 
much  they  might  be  worth,  as  it  would  be  entirely 
out  of  the  question  to  realize  on  them  until  they  had 
been  sufficiently  developed  to  fix  their  value,  what- 
ever that  might  be. 

Being  unacquainted  with  the  country,  and  having 
no  guide  but  his  own  knowledge  of  geography, 
Robert  had  to  make  his  way  as  best  he  could.  On 
the  second  day  out,  when  crossing  the  divide,  he 
saw  in  the  distance  a  large  mountain  situated  to- 
ward the  north  and  east,  which,  from  its  size  and 
shape,  he  was  confident  was  Grand  Mesa,  as  it  tallied 
exactly  with  the  description  given  by  Colonel  Fre- 
mont, which  he  had  read.  Robert  was  also  con- 
vinced that  at  or  near  its  western  base  rolled  the 
Grand  river,  and  that  the  new  settlement  for  which 
he  was  bound  must  be  located  near  it. 

He  also  reasoned  from  the  lay  of  the  country  that 
there  must  be  another  river  between  him  and  the 


A      TALE      OF      THE      ROCKIES  67 

Grand,  and  that  they  probably  formed  a  junction 
not  far  from  the  new  camp.  On  the  next  morning 
he  reached  a  river,  which  he  afterwards  learned  was 
the  Dolores,  then  flooded  to  such  a  hejght  that  it 
was  necessary  to  build  a  raft  in  order  to  cross  it. 
While  thus  engaged,  a  half-breed  Indian  came  into 
his  camp,  who  was  acquainted  with  the  country,  and 
volunteered  to  pilot  him  to  the  new  settlement,  which 
they  reached  in  safety  on  the  evening  of  the  fourth 
day  out  from  camp. 

Although  composed  of  but  a  few  adobe  huts  and 
a  dozen  or  more  tents,  the  new  town  was  located  in 
a  beautiful  valley,  through  which  flowed  a  mag- 
nificent river,  which  was  joined  at  this  point  by 
the  Gunnison,  also  a  fine  stream,  but  not  so  large. 
Upon  first  sight  of  the  valley,  Robert  predicted  that 
he  was  then  gazing  upon  the  site  of  a  future  great 
city,  arid  the  home  of  thousands  of  happy  and  pros- 
perous people,  as  its  commercial  and  geographical 
position  was  such  that,  with  the  great  natural  ad- 
vantages it  possessed,  and  the  commercial  neces- 
sity that  existed  for  it,  it  must  rapidly  spring  into 
notice  as  an  important  trading  center. 

Having  secured  accommodations  at  the  adobe 
hostlery  which  served  as  a  hotel,  Robert  started  out 
on  the  single  street  of  the  town  in  quest  of  some 
one  to  assist  him,  but  not  knowing  anyone,  and  hav- 
ing little  idea  of  the  class  of  people  he  might  meet, 
he  decided  to  say  nothing  for  the  night,  but  attend 
to  matters  on  the  following  morning. 

On  account  of  the  hotel  being  crowded,  Robert 
was  asked  to  share  his  room  with  a  stranger  from 
the  East,  whom  he  found  to  be  very  agreeable,  and 
who  informed  him  that  he  was  making  a  tour  of  the 


68  THE    SINBAD    MINES: 

West  with  the  intention  of  investing  in  some  busi- 
ness venture ;  that  he  was  thinking  of  mining  as  the 
most  feasible  project,  if  he  could  find  something 
that  was  all  right.  Robert  then  told  him  of  the 
business  he  was  on,  and  invited  him  to  go  and  ex- 
amine the  property.  Mr.  Lumsden,  for  such  was 
the  man's  name,  replied  that  he  would  let  him  know 
on  the  following  evening,  at  which  time  his  new- 
found friend  informed  him  that  he  would  be  ready 
on  the  following  morning  to  accompany  him  to  the 
mountains  to  investigate  the  property,  and  that  if 
it  was  as  represented  he  would  help  to  develop  it. 

Supplies  having  been  purchased,  the  following 
morning  bright  and  early  the  couple  were  on  their 
way  toward  the  La  Salles.  As  they  rode  along 
Robert  related  some  of  the  experiences  of  his  early 
life;  how  he  had  been  turned  from  his  home;  of  his 
experience  with  Mr.  Moulton,  and  of  the  hardships 
he  had  endured  since  he  began  the  rough  life  of  a 
prospector. 

Jack,  which  was  the  given  name  of  his  compan- 
ion, seemed  to  be  very  much  interested  in  his  story, 
and  inquired  particularly  in  regard  to  the  discovery 
of  the  property  at  which  they  were  going  to  look, 
all  of  which  questions  Robert  answered  as  well  as 
he  knew.  Owing  to  the  fact  that  he  Had  become 
somewhat  used  to  the  trail,  and  that  the  river  had 
gone  down,  allowing  them  to  ford  it,  the  riders 
made  the  distance  in  three  days,  reaching  the  camp 
just  at  sundown,  to  find  that  Happy  had  prepared  a 
warm  meal  for  them,  as  from  his  position  the  view 
commanded  a  range  of  the  valley  for  many  miles 
below,  and  he  had  been  aware  of  their  approach 
for  sometime.  Happy  made  himself  as  agreeable 


A      TALE     OF      THE     ROCKIES  69 

as  possible,  and  soon  the  trio  were  on  the  best  of 
terms. 

A  few  days  were  spent  in  examining  the  prop- 
erty, which  was  more  than  satisfactory  to  the  new- 
comer, when  Jack  returned  to  the  valley,  and  was 
soon  on  his  way  to  Denver  for  the  purpose  of  in- 
teresting others  in  the  enterprise,  while  Robert  and 
Happy  remained  at  the  camp  and  proceeded  to  the 
work  of  arranging  for  the  coming  of  a  number  of 
workmen,  as  there  was  a  great  deal  to  be  done  in 
the  way  of  building  larger  quarters  for  the  men, 
retimbering  the  old  shaft,  and  generally  rearrang- 
ing matters. 

About  two  weeks  after  his  departure,  and  much 
sooner  than  was  expected,  late  one  evening  Happy 
announced  that  there  was  a  pack-train  coming  up 
the  trail,  and  within  a  short  time  Jack  appeared  at 
the  cabin  door  with  two  other  men,  who  were  to 
become  interested  in  the  mine.  One,  a  Mr.  Benton, 
who  represented  some  extensive  capitalists  of  Den- 
ver, and  another  by  the  name  of  Waterman,  besides 
several  laborers. 

The  owners  now  consisted  of  five  men,  all  equally 
interested.  It  was  now  agreed  among  the  owners 
that  all  profit  from  the  mine  should  be  divided 
equally,  and  that  the  compact  should  exist  during  the 
life  of  the  partners.  It  was  further  agreed  that 
each  and  every  member  of  the  concern  should  pro- 
tect the  property  with  his  life,  if  necessary. 

-The  first  thing  to  be  done  was  to  prospect  the 
property;  that  is,  sink  shafts  along  the  dyke  at 
short  intervals  until  the  ore  body  was  struck,  then 
move. on  to  another  place  and  sink  again,  until  they 
had  prospected  the  entire  length  of  the  croppings. 


7O  THE      SINBAD      MINES: 

Thus  the  winter  was  spent,  and  when  spring  came 
the  owners  were  well  pleased  with  the  result  of  their 
labors,  as  the  mine  snowed  a  high  grade  of  ore  in 
every  shaft  they  had  sunk.  Provisions,  however, 
were  beginning  to  run  low,  making  it  necessary  for 
the  pack-train  to  be  again  dispatched  to  the  valley  for 
more  supplies.  As  the  trail  was  out  of  repair  in 
many  places,  Erve,  for  such  was  Mr.  Waterman's 
name,  was  sent  with  a  gang  of  laborers  to  repair  the 
trail  and  extend  the  road  as  far  as  practicable  from 
the  river  toward  the  mines. 

During  the  winter  the  railroad  had  forced  its  way 
over  the  Great  Divide  and  was  rapidly  descending 
the  western  slope.  It  was  estimated  that  it  would 
reach  Grand  Junction  by  the  middle  of  the  summer, 
and  as  this  would  bring  their  ore  into  market,  it 
was  anticipated  with  a  great  deal  of  interest  by  the 
miners,  and  they  quickly  saw  that  it  was  important 
that  the  trail  to  the  property  be  put  into  the  best 
possible  condition. 

Robert  and  Jack  were  delegated  to  make  the  trip 
to  Denver  in  the  interest  of  the  company,  while  Mr. 
Benton  was  left  in  charge  of  the  mines.  The  men, 
though  sometimes  compelled  to  live  on  rather  low 
rations,  found  no  fault,  for  they  realized  that  when 
the  mines  began  to  pay  they  would  get  all  they  had 
earned,  it  mattered  not  how  much  that  might  be. 
And  although  it  sometimes  taxed  the  cook  to  his 
utmost  to  furnish  a  sufficient  amount  of  meat,  he 
never  returned  to  the  camp  from  a  hunting  tour 
without  a  sufficient  quantity  for  at  least  the  next 
day's  rations.  Sometimes  it  would  be  deer  or  ante- 
lope; at  another  time  a  young  bear  would  be 
stretched  across  his  saddle,  and  occasionally  a  long 


A      TALE      OF      THE      ROCKIES  71 

string  of  mountain  trout  or  ruffled  grouse  were  se- 
cured, which  furnished  the  only  luxuries  which 
graced  their  table  and  strengthened  the  arm  of  the 
weary  toilers. 

Although  Robert  and  Jack  were  away  over  a 
month,  the  time  passed  very  quickly,  and  when  the 
train  of  pack  animals  was  again  sighted  among  the 
rocks  climbing  up  the  rugged  trail,  Happy  remarked 
that  it  did  not  seem  possible  that  they  could  have 
made  the  trip  in  so  short  a  time.  But  when  Jack 
assured  them  that  they  had  not  only  made  the 
trip,  but  had  been  very  successful,  and  that  they 
had  secured  sufficient  means  to  continue  the  de- 
velopment until  the  railroad  should  reach  the  valley, 
Happy,  unable  to  control  himself  longer,  let  out  a 
yell  that  would  have  done  credit  to  a  Piute  Indian, 
and  might  have  been  heard  for  miles,  following 
up  his  demonstration  by  hugging  Robert  and  assur- 
ing him  that  he  had  stopped  drinking,  and  that  he 
had  taken  a  pledge  which  would  never  be  broken — 
during  his  life-time,  at  least. 

Mr.  Benton,  who  was  never  addressed  by  his 
given  name,  looked  at  the  enterprise  in  a  business 
light  ,and  remarked  that  it  was  highly  probable  that 
they  had  a  good  thing,  adding  that  it  was  not  best 
to  get  excited,  as  there  was  always  a  great  amount 
of  risk  to  run  in  any  mining  scheme,  and  that  they 
might  be  compelled  to  wait  a  long  time  before  they 
enjoyed  the  possession  of  any  extensive  fortune. 

A  fresh  supply  of  vegetables  being  a  rarity  at 
camp,  the  cook  laid  himself  out  in  preparing  the 
supper,  which  was,  to  say  the  least,  a  surprise  to  all 
who  had  the  pleasure  of  participating  in  it. 

The  work  now  progressed  on  a  much  larger  scale. 


72  THE    SINBAD    MINES: 

Water  was  brought  through  a  tunnel  from  Rock 
Creek,  a  mountain  stream  some  two  miles  distant. 
Powerful  water-wheels  were  constructed  to  furnish 
power  for  the  great  crushers,  which  were  built  by 
Jack,  who  was  now  master  mechanic  of  the  mines. 
These  were  soon  followed  by  the  erection  of  several 
smelters,  which  were  to  be  used  in  reducing  the  ore 
to  matt  and  black  copper.  Immense  kilns  were  also 
constructed  for  making  charcoal,  and  when  at  night 
their  lurid  glow  lighted  up  the  mountain  peaks  the 
sight  was  one  that  was  wierd  in  the  extreme. 

The  splash  of  the  great  water-wheels,  as  the  water 
was  forced  through  their  paddles  and  scattered  in 
thousands  of  sparkling  jets,  produced  a  heavy  rum- 
ble, the  concussion  of  which  resounded  through  the 
valley  day  and  night,  while  the  vibration  of  the 
heavy  machinery  which  was  breaking  into  fragments 
the  ore,  resulted  in  a  babble  which  was  entirely  new 
to  this  wild  mountain  country. 

Still  it  did  not  detract  in  the  least  from  the  many 
desirable  features  which  the  valley  possessed,  to  the 
miners  at  least,  as  the  confusion  of  sounds  was  to 
them  the  sweetest  of  music,  as  its  "notes"  were 
"legal-tender,"  and  the  "denomination"  a  very  high 
one  at  that,  while  the  "time"  was  comparatively 
short. 

To  be  sure,  the  antelope  which  had  made  his 
home  in  the  valley  for  years  previously  withdrew 
to  a  more  secluded  spot,  and  the  timid  deer,  taking 
fright  at  the  unusual  sounds,  had  bounded  away  up 
the  canon;  but  this  only  made  a  little  longer  ride 
for  the  camp-hunters,  who  still  continued  to  furnish 
those  delicacies  for  the  table  as  formerly. 

Great  pigs  of  ore  and  enormous  piles  of  copper 


A      TALE      OF      THE     ROCKIES  73 

matt  were  accumulating,  while  the  amount  of  pay 
rock  in  sight  was  rapidly  increasing.  Still,  the 
miners  were  not  robbing  the  property;  only  remov- 
ing what  was  necessary  in  order  to  carry  on  the 
work  of  development  as  fast  as  possible,  as  it  was 
not  deemed  advisable  to  pile  up  large  quantities  of 
ore  until  the  railroad  should  have  reached  the  val- 
ley, as  it  would  only  increase  the  work  by  handling 
the  ore  over  many  times.  Tunnels  had  been  driven 
in  several  directions  on  spurs  of  the  lead,  which 
showed  up  good  bodies  of  ore,  while  levels  extended 
from  the  north  end  of  the  lead  for  several  hundred 
feet.  These  proved  that  the  pay  streak  was  rapidly 
increasing  in  width,  while  assay  returns  were  per- 
sistently going  up  as  the  shaft  went  down. 

Late  one  evening  in  early  fall  a  courier  reached 
the  camp  with  the  glad  news  that  the  great  iron 
horse,  crawling  over  the  crooked  road-bed  of  the 
Rio  Grande,  had  reached  the  lofty  peaks  of  the  Con- 
tinental Divide,  and  with  a  wild  screech  of  triumph 
had  come  puffing  and  panting,  with  its  mighty  load 
of  provisions  and  people  down  the  valley  of  the 
Grand. 

Upon  receiving  this  news  there  arose  from  the 
camp  three  mighty  cheers  for  the  dauntless  com- 
pany who  had  actually  accomplished  that  which 
had  been  declared  impossible  by  many  of  the  best 
engineers  of  the  world.  Disregarding  scientific 
levelings  and  fearful  altitudes,  they  had,  by  the 
exercise  of  Yankee  ingenuity  and  American  push, 
accomplished  the  impossible,  and  would  in  the  near 
future  be  the  direct  means  of  bringing  wealth  and 
happiness,  not  only  to  themselves,  but  to  the  many 
thousands  who  would  ultimately  flock  to  the  Grand 


74  THE    SINBAD    MINES: 

valley,  which,  surrounded  by  the  mighty  walls  of 
the  everlasting  hills,  would  soon  become  a  second 
Garden  of  Eden. 

HOW  THEY  BUILT  THE  RIO  GRANDE 

The    rails    were    laid    across    the   plains 

To  where  the  Rockies  rise 
With  hoary  heads  of  glistening  frost 

Far  toward  the  wintry  skies ; 
But  at  their  feet  the  workmen  paused ; — 

Could  those  great  peaks  be  passed? 
Could  engines  climb  those  rocky  walls 

Of  mountains  bleak  and  vast? 

The   line   was   staked   to    Marshall    Pass — 

Twelve  thousand  feet  it  rose 
Up  rocky  gorge  and  jagged  wall, 

Through  ice  and  drifting  snows. 
'Twas  said  by  those  who  run  the  line, 

And  sure  they  ought  to  know, 
That  cars  could  never  roll  across 

Those  wastes  of  drifting  snow ! 

That  all  such  talk  was  idle  tales ; 

That  steam  was  never  made  * 

To  haul  a  train  above  the  clouds — 

Up  such  an  awful  grade! 
To  try  to  lay  a  single  rail 

Where  burros  scarce  could  climb, 
Was  little  less  than  criminal — 

A   useless   loss   of   time.    ' 

The  master  listened  to  the  end, 

Then  raised  his  daring  eye : 
"It  matters  not  if  all  the  world 

Shall  laugh  to  see  us  try, 
We'll   build   the   road — at   any  grade — 

How  great  we  will  not  mind, 
Then  if  we  cannot  pull  the  train, 

We'll  push  it  from  behind. 

"And  if  these  engines  fail  to  hold 

Upon  the  slanting  rail, 
We'll  build  some  that  can  do  the  thing; — 
This  project  must  not  fail!" 


A      TALE      OF      THE      ROCKIES  75 

So  to  their  task  they  bravely  went, 

And  soon  above  the  plain 
They  slowly  climbed  the  mountain  side, 

Close  followed  by  the  train. 

Up  roaring  torrents  choked  with  slide, 

Through  canons  dark  and  deep, 
Where  loosened  rocks  with  fearful  force 

Crash  down  the  rugged  steep; 
Above  the  awful,  yawning  gulf, 

Whose  depths  are  dark  as  night, 
They  blast  a  way  along  the  wall, 

Far  up  the  dizzy  height! 

With  many  a  curve  and  winding  loop, 

They  climb  the  Great  Divide, 
Until  at  last  they  reach  the  top, 

Their  nostrils  parting  wide. 
With  quickened  breath  and  glowing  cheek 

They   raise   a  joyous    shout! 
The  line  has  passed  the  highest  point, 

And  panting  engines  stout, 

With  trains  of  heavy-laden  cars, 

Are  standing  on   the  crest, — 
Two  miles  above  the  sobbing  waves, 

Far  toward  the  golden  West ! 
In  spite  of  all  the  proud  abuse 

Of  English  engineers, 
The   Rio   Grande  has   crossed   the   range, 

And  all  the  nation  cheers ! 

For  heroes  always  win  the  palm 

In  every  age  or  land, 
And  sure  no  greater  ever  lived 

Than  those  who  built  The  Grande! 
They  faced   the   mountains   and   the   storms, 

While  scorn   was  at  them  hurled, 
And   laid  their  tr^ck   above  the  clouds — 

The  pride  of  all  the  world! 

To  celebrate  this  grand  accomplishment  it  was 
decided  to  shut  down  all  of  the  works,  that  the  men 
might  visit  the  new  city  and  participate  in  the  gen- 
eral celebration  which  was  to  take  place  on  the  fol- 
lowing Friday. 


76  THE    SINBAD    MINES: 

Accordingly,  on  the  following  morning,  all  of  the 
men  having  donned  their  best  clothes  and  mounted 
horses,  rode  down  the  valley  at  a  leisure  gait,  await- 
ing the  approach  of  Happy,  who  had  remained  be- 
hind to  see  that  the  fires  were  safely  banked,  as  this 
was  the  first  time  since  their  discovery  that  the  mines 
had  been  left  entirely  alone.  As  Happy  joined  his 
companions  he  remarked  that  he,  for  one,  would 
not  celebrate  in  his  usual  manner,  but  would  act  in 
accordance  with  the  pledge  which  he  had  taken  when 
they  first  located  the  mine. 

Robert  also  believed  that  there  was  little  danger 
of  his  being  led  away  by  drink,  as  he  had  noticed 
a  marked  change  in  him  since  his  last  debauch.  As 
they  rode  down  the  trail  their  faces  beamed  with 
happy  anticipation,  that  they  were  soon  again  to 
participate  in  the  pleasures  of  civilization,  and  to 
enjoy  a  few  days'  rest  and  recreation  among  their 
fellows. 

The  trail  being  greatly  improved  under  the  di- 
rection of  Erve  and  the  continued  wear  to  which  it 
had  been  subjected,  made  it  possible  to  do  a  great 
number  of  miles  in  a  day,  so  that  when  the  sun  had 
set  in  the  west  the  party  had  covered  half  the  jour- 
ney, going  into  camp  at  the  mouth  of  North  Creek. 
The  men  were  now  confident  that  if  they  met  with 
no  accident,  they  would  pass  the  next  night  among 
the  excited  populace  of  the  little  town  at  the  junc- 
tion of  the  Grand. 

Early  again  the  next  morning  they  were  in  their 
saddles  swinging  along  at  a  rapid  gait,  and  before 
the  slanting  rays  of  the  sun  announced  the  approach 
of  evening,  and  while  they  were  descending  from 
a  low  mesa,  they  were  startled  by  a  blast  from  a 


A      TALE      OF      THE      ROCKIES  77 

steam  whistle,  which  was  quickly  followed  by  an- 
other, and  another.  So  long  had  these  mountaineers 
been  removed  from  the  sound  of  that  most  welcome 
reminder  of  home,  that  involuntarily  the  tears 
started  from  their  eyes  as  they  realized  that  the 
further  end  of  that  long-  line  of  glittering  rails  was 
within  sight  of  their  homes  and  the  dear  ones  in 
the  far  East. 

Hardly  could  they  control  themselves,  so  affect- 
ing were  the  memories  which  welled  up  in  their 
minds,  and,  as  if  animated  by  the  thoughts  which 
overwhelmed  their  masters,  the  horses  dashed  away 
with  such  speed  that  the  miners  were  soon  .among 
the  mass  of  struggling  humanity  which  made  up  the 
population  of  the  new  city.  The  greatest  confusion 
reigned,  but  for  all  that  the  best  of  humor  prevailed, 
as  everyone  was  on  his  good  behavior. 

Speeches  were  being  made  and  guns  fired,  while 
the  air  trembled  with  rousing  cheers ;  in  fact,  pan- 
demonium reigned,  but  through  it  all  there  was  a 
Western  expression  of  kind  regard  for  others,  which 
modified  the  otherwise  boisterous  demonstrations. 

Later  in  the  day  bonfires  lighted  up  the  approach- 
ing darkness,  that  it  might  not  be  allowed  to  inter- 
fere in  any  manner  with  the  celebration,  which  was 
continued  through  the  night.  Every  newcomer  was 
seized  by  the  hand  as  he  stepped  from  the  train,  or 
dismounted  from  his  mustang,  and  made  to  feel  that 
he  was  indeed  welcome,  and  that  he  was  very  much 
needed  to  make  the  new  country  what  it  was  intended 
it  should  be. 

As  Robert  surveyed  the  miles  of  fertile  soil  it 
seemed  to  him  that  here,  indeed,  was  the  most 
favored  land  upon  which  he  had  ever  looked;  that 


78  THE    SINBAD    MINES: 

the  Creator  had  indeed  bestowed  His  most  lavish 
gifts  upon  it.  Surrounded  as  it  was  by  lofty  moun- 
tains, watered  by  great  rivers,  and  fanned  by  soft 
breezes  wafted  from  the  sunny  shores  of  the  Pa- 
cific, and  enjoying  almost  eternal  sunshine,  it  pre- 
sented a  picture  of  loveliness  which  was  the  ad- 
miration of  all  beholders,  and  it  seemed  strange  to 
Robert  that  so  favored  a  land  should  have  remained 
so  long  the  home  of  the  savage  and  the  dwelling- 
place  of  wild  beasts,  and  he  resolved  that,  should 
his  fortune  be  such  as  he  had  now  hope  to  expect, 
he  would  one  day  return,  with  one  whose  memory 
never  left  him,  and  here  among  nature's  best  gifts 
to  man,  enjoy  the  remaining  years  of  his  life. 

That  there  would  soon  spring  up  a  metropolis 
here,  which  would  outrival  the  most  favored  spots 
in  the  far-famed  state  of  the  Golden  Gate,  he  was 
certain,  and  he  pictured  to  himself  broad  streets 
lined  with  beautiful  residences,  nestled  among  the 
prolific  groves  of  fruit  trees,  surrounded  by  broad 
acres  of  vineyards,  and  enlivened  by  the  most  ad- 
vanced conditions  of  progressive  civilization. 

Although  this  ideal  picture  did  not  represent  the 
one  he  was  actually  looking  at,  his  life  had  been 
one  of  such  great  changes  that  it  did  not  require 
any  unusual  strain  of  his  active  imagination  to  place 
in  the  valley  the  actual  conditions  which  his  mind 
had  created. 

After  a  few  days'  recreation  the  men  were  again 
summoned  to  duty,  several  others  hired,  extra  pack 
animals  secured,  and  a  large  train  fitted  out  to  return 
to  the  mines.  And  as  it  had  previously  been 
planned,  a  pack-train  was  to  make  regular  trips  to 
the  post  for  the  purpose  of  packing  the  bullion  and 


A     TALE     OF     THE     ROCKIES  79 

matt  to  the  railroad,  and  returning  with  supplies 
for  the  camp. 

Several  days  were  spent  in  securing  the  necessary 
animals,  purchasing  saddles,  and  many  other  things 
which  were  needed,  and  when  finally  the  whole 
train  of  nearly  a  hundred  saddles,  more  than  fifty 
of  which  were  packed,  started  across  the  ford  which 
led  to  the  mountains,  Robert  could  but  contrast  it 
with  the  two  lonely  travelers,  who  so  short  a  time 
ago  had  been  wandering  among  the  mountains  with 
but  light  loads  for  the  two  burros  which  followed 
them. 

THE  PROSPECTOR 

Up  among  the  mighty  Rockies, 

Where  the  waters  fret  and  foam, 
Where  the  bear  in  freedom  wander, 

Where  the  eagle  makes  his  home; 
Where  the  storm-cloud  floats  majestic 

Through  the  light  and  chilly  air, 
And  the  wind  sweeps  down  the  canon 

From  the  peaks  so  cold  and  bare; 

Where  the  rocks  are  scarred  and  broken 

In   a  thousand  rugged  forms 
By  the  awful    force  of  nature 

And  the  wild  and  fearful  storms — 
Where  the  walls  are  torn  asunder 

By  the  fissure  veins  of  ore — 
Where  the  gold  and  shining  silver 

By  the  lead  is  held  in   store. 

There   among  the   wilds   of   nature 

On  the  rugged  mountain  steep, 
Toils  the  bold   and  lone  prospector 

Till   the  stars   begin   to  peep 
From  the  dark-blue  vault  above  him 

When  to  camp  he,  weary,  turns 
Where  he  eats  his  frugal  supper 

While  the  pinon  fagot  burns. 


8o  THE    SINBAD    MINES: 

With  his  faithful   dog  and  burro, 

Far  from  home  and  lost  to  sight, 
Days  are  spent  in  toil  and  silence ! 

Dreams  of   wealth   are   his   by  night, 
Dreams   of   wealth   and    future   pleasure 

In  the  land  by  nature  blessed, 
Where  the  Grand  glides  down  the  valley 

Through  the  garden  of  the  West ! 

On  through   months   and  years  he   wanders, 

Building   castles   in    the   air, 
Dreaming  dreams  of   endless   riches — 

Of  the  one  to  him  so  fair, 
Who  shall  share  his  hoarded  riches, 

Be  to  him  a  loving  wife, 
Rob  the  years  of  grief  and  sorrow, 

And  with   joy  complete  his  life ! 

When  at  last  he  strikes  the  pay-streak, 

Rich  with  glittering  grains  of  gold, 
Tis  for  her  he  cheers  the  loudest, 

For  his  Jove  has  not  grown  cold, 
But  has  ever  gained  in  lustre, 

Like  a  gem  of  precious  worth, 
Till   to   him  she   seems    the   dearest 

Of  the  blessings  of  the  earth ! 

'Twas  for  her  he  dared  the  tempest, 

And  endured  the  lonely  hours; 
'Twas  for  her  he  sought  the  dangers 
From  the  city's  tempting  bowers ; 
Yes,   'twas  love  for   her   and  others 
That  his  noble  mind  controlled, — 
Urged  him  on  through  years  of  trial 
To  success  and  wealth  untold ! 


8i 


CHAP TER    IV 

(s  THE  caravan  wound  among  the  draws 
which  reached  from  the  river  bottom  to 
the  top  of  the  mesa,  and  then  stretched 
away  toward  the  distant  hills,  it  reminded 
Robert  of  the  picture  of  the  caravans  on  the 
desert  which  he  had  seen  in  his  mother's  bible 
when  a  child.  Jack  had  charge  of  the  train, 
and  as  it  was  heavily  loaded  he  thought  best  not  to 
attempt  to  reach  the  camp  in  less  than  four  days, 
knowing  if  he  should  undertake  it,  some  of  the 
horses  would  be  sure  to  play  out,  which  would  neces- 
sitate a  long  rest  for  them,  and  thus  they  would  lose 
time. 

Upon  reaching  the  camp  the  machinery  was  again 
set  in  motion,  and  the  pack-train  laden  with  bullion 
given  in  charge  of  Erve,  who  was  to  be  master  of 
transportation  thereafter,  which  capacity  he  filled 
with  satisfaction  to  himself  and  with  profit  to  the 
company  for  many  years. 

So  months  came  and  went,  and  the  pack-train  con- 
tinued to  cross  and  recross  the  Divide;  the  wheels 
groaned  with  their  heavy  task,  the  almost  incessant 
bcom  of  blasts  was  heard  reverberating  through  the 
canons,  and  the  blue  smoke  continued  to  ascend 
from  the  molten  throats  of  the  furnaces,  while  the 
wealth  which  was  the  result  of  earnest  labor  contin- 
ued to  accumulate  in  the  bank  at  Denver  to  the 
credit  of  the  Sinbad  Mining  and  Milling  Company. 

6 


82  THE      SINBAD      MINES: 

It  had  been  frequently  noticed  by  members  of  the 
company  that  articles  of  value  were  constantly  miss- 
ing, and  with  such  frequency  that  it  became  a  matter 
which  required  attention,  as  the  thieving  was  being 
carried  on  to  an  extent  that  was  becoming  alarming. 
Horses  were  frequently  missed,  whole  kits  of  pro- 
visions, as  well  as  implements  and  other  things, 
were  being  carried  away. 

Complaints  had  also  been  made  by  herders  and 
.cattlemen  in  and  about  that  region  that  there  was  a 
band  of  thieves  who  were  committing  depredations 
on  all .  sides,  driving  away  cattle  and  stampeding 
horses,  some  of  which  would  be  returned  to  the 
owner  if  he  would  pay  a  reward  for  them,  such 
propositions  generally  being  made  by  an  Indian,  who 
would  say  that  he  accidentally  discovered  them  in 
some  out-of-the-way  canon  while  hunting.  This 
thing  had  been  tolerated  until  it  had  grown  to  pro- 
portions which  were  unbearable,  as  valuable  stock 
was  in  danger  all  of  the  time,  and  the  "reward" 
business  had  become  but  little  less  than  a  forced  tax. 

While  the  management  of  the  mines  was  consid- 
ering plans  for  the  apprehension  of  the  robbers,  but 
before  thev  had  formed  any  definite  mode  of  pro- 
cedure, they  were  surprised  one  evening  to  see  a 
part  of  the  train  coming  up  the  trail  with  their 
pack  disarranged,  others  missing  entirely,  the  horses 
that  retained  them  reeking  with  sweat,  and  galled  in 
a  terrible  manner.  From  the  condition  of  the  horses, 
and  the  loss  of  the  most  valuable  packs,  Robert  was 
convinced  that  some  accident  had  overtaken  Erve. 

Hastily  summoning  a  party  of  men,  and  provid- 
ing them  with  arms,  they  mounted  fresh  horses  and 
dashed  down  the  valley,  hoping  that  they  might  ren- 


A      TALE      OF      THE      ROCKIES  83 

der  some  service  to  their  faithful  companion,  who 
was  undoubtedly  in  need  of  assistance.  As  they 
fairly  flew  over  the  trail  they  passed  parcels  of 
packs,  broken  saddles,  and  a  variety  of  supplies, 
which  had  been  torn  from  the  horses  in  their  wild 
flight. 

Excited  more  and  more  by  these  evidences .  of 
grave  trouble,  they  lashed  their  horses  to  full  speed, 
and  just  as  they  were  descending  the  draw  into  Dry 
Gulch  they  came  upon  Erve,  who,  although  he  was 
suffering  from  a  severe  wound  of  the  shoulder,  had 
managed  to  remount,  and  was  making  for  the  camp 
as  fast  as  his  condition  would  permit.  Riding 
along-side,  Robert  assisted  him  to  dismount,  and 
procuring  a  roll  of  blankets,  improvised  a  bunk  on 
which  he  might  rest,  after  which  he  made  a  careful 
examination  of  his  wounds,  and  having  found  that 
they  were  not  fatal,  inquired  as  to  how  he  had  been 
attacked. 

After  having  gained  sufficient  information  he  dis- 
patched some  of  the  party  after  the  thieves  and  pro- 
ceeded to  dress  his  friend's  wounds.  Erve  ex- 
plained that  he  had  been  fired  upon  by  five  robbers, 
who  appeared  on  a  little  elevation  just  above  him  as 
he  was  passing  the  mouth  of  Ute  creek,  and  who 
commanded  him  to  throw  up  his  hands,  which  he 
instantly  did,  but  at  the  same  time  drove  his  spurs 
deep  into  his  horse's  flanks,  which  caused  it  to 
plunge  away  with  terrible  strides,  while  the  bandits 
sent  a  round  of  bullets  after-  him,  one  of  which  took 
effect  in  his  horse's  flank,  bringing  it  to  the  ground 
and  throwing  him  over  the  bank  into  a  deep  aroya. 

Regaining  his  feet  as  quickly  as  possible,  he  suc- 
ceeded in  seizing  the  lashings  of  one  of  the  pack 


84  THE      SINBAD      MINES: 

horses  as  it  was  passing  him,  and  by  an  almost 
superhuman  effort,  threw  himself  astride  its  back. 
By  this  time  the  desperadoes  had  reached  the  oppo- 
site side  of  the  ravine,  and  again  opened  fire  on 
their  fleeing  victim,  and  although  badly  wounding 
him,  he  succeeded  in  placing  between  himself  and 
them  a  large  rock. 

With  this  as  a  protection,  he  reached  a  deep  pot- 
hole in  the  rocks,  where  he  was  obliged  to  drop 
from  his  horse  on  account  of  faintness  induced  by 
the  free  hemorrhage  from  the  wound.  He  further 
said  that  he  did  not  know  how  long  he  was  uncon* 
scious,  but  that  it  could  not  have  been  but  a  few 
moments,  as  he  revived  just  before  the  leader  of  the 
outlaws  reached  the  rim  of  the  pot-hole. 

Seizing  his  revolver  he  awaited  his  approach.  He 
was  none  too  quick,  for  he  had  barely  reached  a 
place  of  safety  behind  a  projection  in  the  wall  when 
the  robber's  head  appeared  above  the  sage-brush 
which  surrounded  his  hiding-place.  A  sharp  crack 
from  his  revolver  rang  out  among  the  rocks,  and 
the  desperado  fell  from  his  horse  mortally  wounded. 
To  recock  his  weapon  was  but  the  work  of  an  in- 
stant, but  it  was  barely  completed  when  a  second 
head  appeared  in  almost  the  same  position,  and  an 
instant  later  met  the  same  fate  as  its  companion. 

Erve  further  said  that,  although  he  was  weak  from 
the  loss  of  blood,  after  waiting  a  few  moments  he 
crawled  to  the  rim  of  the  pot-hole,  and  peering 
through  the  sage-brush  and  grease  wood,  surveyed 
the  country  from  the  direction  from  which'  he  had 
come,  expecting  to  see  the  remainder  of  the  out- 
laws approaching  in  hot  pursuit,  but  was  somewhat 
encouraged  to  see  but  one  of  them,  and  he  appeared 


A      TALE     OF     THE     ROCKIES  85 

to  think  his  companions  had  overtaken  their  victim 
and  dispatched  him,  as  he  had  undoubtedly  heard  the 
shots  and  supposed  that  they  were  fired  by  his  com- 
panions. 

"I  remarked  to  myself  that  I  would  probably  dis- 
abuse the  robber's  mind  of  the  belief  that  I  was 
dead,  for  he  might  find  me  very  much  alive  if  he 
continued  to  come  that  way,  as  I  had  now  secured 
the  rifle  from  my  fallen  victim,  and  was  sure  that 
it  was  a  dangerous  weapon  to  run  against,  if  it  was 
in  the  right  hands.  . 

"Waiting  until  my  enemy  was  in  easy  range,  I 
covered  him  with  the  piece  and  called  out  "hands 
up!"  but  to  my  surprise,  the  robber  wheeled  his 
horse,  and  throwing  himself  to  the  opposite  side, 
was  about  to  leave  the  place  in  a  most  informal 
manner  when,  with  a  well  directed  shot,  I  brought 
his  horse  to  the  ground,  and  in  its  fall  its  rider  was 
caught  under  it  and  could  not  extricate  himself. 

"I  again  repeated  my  demand,  which  was  an- 
swered by  a  shot  which  flattened  out  on  the  rocks 
uncomfortably  near  my  head.  This  unexpected 
action  on  the  part  of  the  robber  decided  me,  and 
drawing  a  fine  sight,  I  breathed  a  short  prayer  for 
him  and  sent  a  ball  crashing  through  his  miserable 
head,  adding  as  the  smoke  cleared  away,  a  fervent 
'Amen.' 

"Being  satisfied  that  the  balance  of  the  party  had 
made  off  with  their  booty,  I  crawled  back,  and  se- 
curing one  of  the  robber's  horses  which  had  re- 
mained by  its  dead  master,  it  being  much  more  de- 
sirable than  the  pack  horse,  I  painfully  mounted  and 
made  my  way  as  fast  as  I  could  toward  the  camp, 


86  THE      SINBAD      MINES: 

which  I  probably  never  would  have  reached  had  I 
not  been  met  by  you  and  your  companions." 

The  men  who  had  been  dispatched  after  the  rob- 
bers finally  returned  with  the  information  that  they 
had  taken  to  the  hills,  and  that  it  would  be  worse 
than  useless  to  follow  them,  as  it  would  only  re- 
sult in  the  loss  of  valuable  lives,  the  robbers  being 
in  a  country  every  rod  of  which  was  as  familiar 
to  them  as  the  beaten  trail  to  Erve.  So  it  was  de- 
cided that  they  should  return  to  camp,  and  having 
constructed  a  rude  ambulance  and  lashed  it  between 
two  horses,  Robert  and  the  men  placed  Erve  upon  it, 
and  leading  the  horses  made  their  way  up  the  trail. 

The  next  morning  an  inventory  was  made  of  the 
missing  burdens,  when  it  was  found  that  all  of  the 
most  valuable  packs  had  been  taken,  as  well  as  ten 
of  the  best  horses,  the  remainder  having  been  ren- 
dered useless  for  a  considerable  time  from  the 
wounds  and  galls  from  which  they  were  suffering. 
As  a  punishment  to  the  robbers  it  was  arrar*ged  that 
a  large  posse  should  be  organized,  and  the  country 
scoured  until  it  was  completely  freed  from  the  gang 
which  had  so  long  infested  it. 

Accordingly,  on  the  following  morning  a  party 
was  fitted  out,  armed  to  the  teeth,  determined  to 
exterminate  the  whole  band.  As  they  left  the  camp 
they  were  joined  by  several  cattlemen  and  herders. 
The  entire  escort  was  formed  into  a  vigilant  com- 
mittee, which  was  divided  into  squads  of  five  or  six. 
These  rode  in  different  directions,  thus  being  able 
to  cover  the  whole  country  for  many  miles  around. 

Several  days  were  thus  spent  without  locating  the 
thieves,  but  finally  Happy,  who  was  at  the  head  of 
the  division  which  was  scouting  in  the  neighborhood 


A      TALE      OF      THE      ROCKIES  87 

of  the  Blue  Mountains,  discovered  them  in  their 
rendezvous  near  the  head  of  Pack-Saddle  creek,  (so 
named  from  the  fact  that  a  party  of  Mormons  who 
were  on  their  way  to  Salt  Lake  found  it  impossible 
to  get  their  wagons  further,  and  were  compelled 
to  unload  them  and  construct  pack-saddles  from 
their  boxes,  which  enabled  them  to  continue  their 
journey  to  the  City  of  the  Saints.) 

After  having  located -them,  Happy  determined  to 
leave  a  guard  to  watch  their  movements  while  he 
notified  the  remainder  of  the  party,  so  that  their 
whole  force  could  surround  them,  when  they  would 
see  that  it  would  be  useless  to  show  resistance,  as 
they  would  be  so  largely  outnumbered,  and  would 
probably  surrender  without  loss  of  life.  Nor  did 
he  wish  to  shoot  them  without  a  fair  trial,  and 
after  their  having  been  proven  guilty. 

Before  the  second  evening  the  whole  party  of 
"vigilantes"  had  surrounded  the  robbers,  who  were 
entirely  ignorant  of  their  dangerous  position  until 
they  were  gazing  into  the  muzzles  of  more  than 
forty  Winchesters  in  the  hands  on  an  equal  number 
of  determined-looking  men.  Seeing  that  the  game 
was  up — that  they  were  hopelessly  caught — and  that 
any  show  of  resistance  would  mean  certain  death, 
they  immediately  complied  with  the  invitation  for 
a  show  of  hands,  when  they  were  promptly  dis- 
armed and  marched  into  camp. 

After  confessing  that  they  had  been  engaged  in 
professional  robbery  for  several  years,  and  two  of 
them  having  been  recognized  by  Erve  as  among 
those  who  attacked  him,  they  were  all  taken  to  a 
small  cluster  of  trees  near  the  scene  of  their  last 


88  THE      SINBAD      MINES: 

crime  and  compelled  to  witness  the  hanging  of  the 
two  principals. 

The  remainder  of  the  gang  were  given  a  severe 
chastisement  in  the  form  of  a  public  flogging,  when 
they  were  escorted  to  the  Utah  line  and  ordered  to 
leave  the  country,  at  the  same  time  being  assured 
that  if  they  were  ever  found  within  the  limits  of  the 
territory  again  it  would  be  at  the  risk  of  their  worth- 
less lives. 

This  terrible  example  had  its  effect,  as  there  was 
no  more  trouble  of  the  kind  in  or  about  the  valley 
for  many  years  thereafter.  Indeed,  it  was  perfectly 
safe  for  life  and  property  to  be  exposed  in  any  part 
of  the  valley  or  along  the  trail,  as  neither  would 
be  molested  unless  by  wild  animals,  which  were 
sometimes  destructive  to  provisions,  as  well  as  stock, 
and  occasionally  in  the  winter  mountain  lions  were 
known  to  attack  human  beings,  if  they  met  them 
alone. 

The  following  clippings  are  from  the  Sinbad 
Regulator  of  that  date : 

— THE  REGULATOR  wishes  to  call  the  attention  of  the  gen- 
tlemen of  this  camp  to  the  fact  that  the  wife  of  our  esteemed 
citizen,  Colonel  Poker  Jim,  J.  P.,  who  recently  "went  over 
the  range"  from  having  been  "leaded"  in  a  misunderstand- 
ing, is  sorely  in  need  of  a  little  of  your  "dust."  Now  don't 
rush  in  and  frighten  the  little  lady  to  death,  but  wash  up 
first,  and  change  your  shirts,  then  those  among  you  who  con- 
sider themselves  fit  to  call  on  "The  Pride  of  the  Camp,"  will 
be  permitted  to  do  so  after  "grub"  to-morrow  evening. 

— ^Alkali  Bill  and  Cactus  Jim  will  "stand  shift"  during  the 
evening  to  see  there  is  no  profanity  indulged  in  during  the  oc- 
casion, and  they  are  instructed  to  use  their  own  judgment — 
and  snooting  irons — as  they  see  fit.  We,  therefore,  suggest 
that  "quills"  containing  less  than  five  dollars  worth  of  the 
"stuff"  better  not  be  offered,  as  the  gentlemen  in  charge  are 
easily  irritated,  and  they  might  misconstrue  the  intent  of 


A     TALE     OF     THE     ROCKIES  OO, 

the  worthless  thief  who  would  thus  steal  from  a  helpless 
widow. 

— All  well-disposed  persons  will  leave  their  "pops"  with 
One-Eyed  Ike,  who  will  be  found  at  his  cabin  to  receive  them. 
Others  will  leave  them — to  their  friends. 

— We  are  glad  that  the  gentlemen  who  were  selected  to  rid 
these  hills  of  the  cowardly  cut-throats  who  have  for  a  long 
time  disturbed  the  quiet  and  peace  of  this  camp,  and  who 
last  week  held  up  the  driver  (one  of  the  best  shots  in  Colo- 
rado) and  robbed  the  supply  train  of  the  company,  have 
waited  upon  the  renegades,  surprised  them  in  their  rendez- 
vous, and  returned  them  to  the  scene  of  their  last  depreda- 
tions, where  they  were  hurriedly  "suspended"  from  further 
association  with  respectable  people. 

— Surprise  is  still  manifested  upon  their  startled  counte- 
nances, which  show  very  plainly  as  they  dangle  in  the  wind, 
that  they  were  finally  brought  to  realize  that  they  were  mis- 
taken in  their  efforts  to  acquire  wealth  which  belonged  to 
others.  Their  guns  were  distributed  among  those  who  will 
use  them  freely  in  case  any  of  their  friends  make  any  un- 
necessary criticism  or  attempt  to  remove  their  worthless 
"decks," 

— Times  are  powerful  brisk  about  these  "diggins,"  although 
news  are  as  scarce  as  religion.  We  have  to  note,  however,  that 
the  "Bob  Tail"  has  opened  up  a  fine  body  of  glance  in  the 
fourth  level. 

— Arizona  Hank  and  Red  River  Ike  got  in  a  scrap  over 
a  location  last  night.  Hank  got  the  "drop."  Funeral  from 
the  Miner's  Rest  Saloon  this  evening. 

— One  of  those  ornery  burros  of  Eph  Smith's  fell  down 
the  8o-foot  shaft  of  the  "Magnum-Bonum,"  striking  Cuff 
Blossom  square  on  the  ear.  The  brute  was  too  dead  to  skin, 
and  Cuff  complains  of  a  stiff  neck. 

— The  powder  house  of  the  "Comstock"  blew  up  this 
morning  at  6  o'clock,  and  the  news  spread  through  the  camp 
with  alarming  rapidity,  being  emphasized  by  a  free  distribu- 
tion of  scrap  iron,  billy-goats  and  profanity,  the  latter  of 
which  is  supposed  to  have  been  the  cause  of  the  great  de- 
struction of  window  glass.  Two  "dagoes"  who  were  smoking 
their  pipes  in  the  vicinity  quit  their  jobs  at  the  first  dis- 
turbance, and  the  coroner  has  refused  to  hold  an  inquest  until 
the  remains  can  be  definitely  located.  A  train  of  pack  ani- 
mals which  were  waiting  to  be  unloaded  were  blown  through 
their  saddles  and  landed  in  the  gulch  below  town.  Undoubted- 
ly thinking  it  was  night,  and  the  whistle  had  blown  for 


90  THE      SINBAD      MINES: 

supper,  they  quietly  retuned  and  devoured  a  large  quantity 
of  provisions  which  had  been  left  by  them  in  the  hurry 
of  the  moment.  The  shaft  house  is  out  of  sight,  and  the 
dump  is  scattered  over  several  sections  of  the  country. 

— Ute  Pete,  while  doing  the  town  of  Grand  Junction  last 
Thursday  night,  got  "rolled"  and  relieved  of  his  "wad"  to 
the  tune  of  $2,000.  He  allows  that  any  straight-haired  gen- 
tleman who  does  the  most  of  his  swearing  in  this  beautiful 
gulch  ought  to  strike  it  "rocky"  if  .he  allows  himself  to 
drink  with  any  chicken-hearted  tenderfoot  from  the  states. 

— It  is  learned  that  the  bull-punchers  who  were  advised 
to  leave  the  country  for  the  benefit  of  their  health  took  kindly 
to  the  advice  of  the  Committee,  and  "hit  the  high  places" 
between  two  days. 

— The  following  beautiful  poem,  for  which  we  express 
our  sincere  thanks,  is  from  the  quill  of  our  esteemed  towns- 
man, "Circle  Bar  Bill."  We  were  well  aware  of  Bill's  literary 
ability  from  the  extensive  range  of  profanity  in  which  he 
frequently  indulges,  also  that  he  now  enjoys  the  honor  of 
being  the  handiest  man  with  a  rope  that  ever  punched  a 
cow  in  the  Rockies,  but  now  we  assert  that  he  is  destined 
to  become  one  of  the  most  noted  writers  of  this  country,  as 
the  present  production  bears  all  the  ear-marks  of  a  genius 
of  the  highest  order.  His  poem  is  of  the  kind  that  appeals 
to  the  feelings  of  every  true  American — of  the  style  which 
must  live,  and  living  must  perpetuate  the  name  of  its 
author : — ED. 

RENEGADE  POINT 
BY  "CIRCLE  BAR  BILL." 

The  Pinon  Ridge  round-up  was  just  about  wound  up; 

We'd  ridden  the  draws  and  the  mesas  between. 
The  range  north  of  Deer  Creek  as  far  west  as  Clear  Creek 

Was  carefully  worked  and  the  country  was  clean. 

'Twas  late  in  September.     How  well  I  remember 
The  last  camp  we  made  near  the  S  Cross  corral ! 

The  night-herder's  singing,  the  cool  night-wind  bringing 
The  distance-dimmed  "tunk"  of  the  cavey  yard  bell. 

The  boys  round  the  wagon  talked  loud  of  the  "jag  on" 
They  hoped  to  acquire  when  they  struck  town  with  "dough." 

The  Cross  cook  was  vainly  and  very  profanely 
Adjuring  the  fire  when  its  flame  flickered  low. 


A     TALE     OF     THE     ROCKIES  QI 

To  bed  'mongst  the  bushes  sound  sleep  comes  and  hushes 
The  laughter,  and  joking  dies  out  by  degrees. 

A  lost  yearling's  bawling,  or  lone  coyote's  calling 
Remains  the  sole  sound  save  the  sigh  of  the  breeze! 

At  dawn  out  we  tumble  when  roused  by  the  rumble 
Or  whoop,  as  the  horse  herd  comes  in  at  a  trot, 

And  round  the  fire  cluster  with  crowding  and  bluster 
To  scramble  for  "tools"  when  the  cook  says  "red-hot!" 

The  pipes  being  lighted,  and  beds  rolled  and  righted, 
Uncoiling  our  ropes  we  stroll  down  to  the  "pen ;" 

'Mid  clouds  of  dust  flying  and  good-natured  guying 
Each  man  picks  his  mount  from  his  own  string  of  ten. 

With  saddles  adjusted  the  buckers  are  busted, — 
And  then  spoke  the  "boss"  in  a  manner  not  gay, 

"If  you  don't  want  a  dead  horse  you'd  best  take  a  "lead  horse," 
For  Renegade  Point  is  the  ride  for  to-day !" 

So  each  roped  another  without  any  further 
Remark,  for  the  Captain  we  knew  had  not  lied, 

For  no  undertaking  is  half  so  heart-breaking 
As  spurring  fagged  stock  near  the  end  of  a  ride. 

Five  miles  o'er  the  mesa  we  jogged  at  the  pace  a 

Cow-pony  strikes  ere  the  riding's  begun. 
The  lead  stock  we  picket  beside  a  tall  thicket 

Of  aspen,  to  wait  our  return  from  the  run. 

Its  "center  fines  cinch  up,  while  double  rings  pinch  up 
And  light  cigarettes."     Thus  the  chaff  flies  about, 

Till  all  being  mounted,  the  riders  are  counted 
And  told  off  in  squads,  and  their  work  pointed  out. 

Joe  S-elby  on  Sailor,  and  five  men,  with  Taylor, 
Were  given  the  high  parks  below  the  bald  hill. 

The  force  under  Hanlon  drew  Maverick  canon, 
And  burnt  Cedar  Hill  fell  to  Circle  Bar  Bill. 

His  gang  were  brush-splitters  and  wide  and  deep  sitters, 
For  Ladigo  Sam  and  Phil  Pace  rode  with  him. 

Truss  Blair  on  Squirrel,  with  Dick  and  Matt  Merrill 
Went  south  to  Grass  Gulch,  led  by  Arkansaw  Jim. 

"We'll  bunch  in  Buck  Basin,"  said  range  boss  Mack  Mason, 
As  off  through  the  oak  brush  we  rode  at  a  run ; 

Behind  him  was  Shorty,  and  Wilson  on  Warty; 
I  brought  up  the  rear  riding  Sun  of  a  Gun. 


92  THE     SINBAD      MINES: 

Right  quickly  we  headed  some  cows  we  found  bedded 
Near  Alkali  Springs  in  the  big  sage-brush  flat, 

And  when  he  had  bunched  them,  we  pointed  and  punched  them 
Straight  over  the  hill  to  be  picked  up  by  Matt. 

We  carefully  covered  the  hill  slopes,  where  hovered 
The  blue  grouse  that,  flushing,  flew  off  one  by  one. 

A  buck,  surprised  sleeping,  bewildered,  quit  leaping 
Within  fifty  yards,  but  none  cocked  a  gun ; 

For  renegade  cattle  will  slope  when  the  rattle 

Of  ready  revolver  is  heard  from  afar; 
Great  caution  is  needed — the  wind  must  be  heeded — 

Unless  the  success  of  the  ride  you  would  mar. 

We  saw  nothing  "snaky"  and  felt  rather  shaky 

About  the  result  of  the  gather  that  day; 
The  whole  bunch  was  hiding  in  spite  of  close  riding. 

No  hoof  could  be  seen,  though  we  looked  every  way. 

Old  Mack  fell  to  fussing  and  Shorty  to  "cussing" 
And  damming  our  luck  that  no  cattle  we'd  spied ; 

Hie  swore  like  the  devil !  and  say,  on  the  level, 
I  scarce  could  reprove  him.    It  iwas  a  bad  ride. 

Just  then  a  yell  sounding  set  every  heart  bounding! 

We  looked  to  the  left,  and  a  glance  was  enough 
To  start  us  all  swearing  and  quirting  and  tearing, 

For  there  came  the  wild  bunch  straight  over  the  bluff ! 

Truss  Blair,  who  had  jumped  them,  had  pretty  well  pumped 
them, 

So,  flying  the  oak  brush,  we  soon  got  in  front, 
But  "Old  Shaggy,"  leading,  kept  on,  never  heeding 

The  six  guns  that  popped  like  a  buffalo  hunt ! 

The  moss-headed   leaders  got  into  the   cedars 
And  run  down  the  draws  where  the  bushes  were  low ; 

All  hell  couldn't  turn  'em,  though  sure  we  did  burn  'em, 
For  none  to  his  mount  ever  dared  to  say  "whoa !" 

Should  they  reach  the  low  hollow  'twere  useless  to  follow ; 

So  loosing  our  rope  straps  we  took  down  our  strings, 
And  with  a  hard  blessing  we  gave  them  a  dressing, 

And  then  fell  upon  them  like  imps  without  wings. 

Mack  picked  a  "bar  'leven,"  a  quarter  bred  Devon, 
With  horns  like  a  Tex,  ever  ready  to  fight. 

Ten  jumps — he  was  on  him  and  smeared  it  upon  him, 
And  tangled  and  threw  him  and  hog-tied  him  tight. 


A     TALE     OF     THE     ROCKIES  Q3 

A  "fourteen  slash  forty"  engaged  little  Shorty 
And  led  him  a  chase  over  boulders  and  brush, 

Till  Warty  out-loped  him,  then  Shorty  soon  roped  him, 
And  went  hard  against  him  and  stopped  his  mad  rush. 

A  maverick  yearling  was  rapidly  nearing 
The  safety  he  sought  in  the  scrub  cedar  shade, 

When  Wilson  entwined  him,  and  threw  and  side-lined  him, 
While  I  caught  a  heifer,  fat,  full-eared  and  spayed. 

The  rest  with  tails  swinging,  the  dust  wildly  flinging, 
Flew  on  toward  the  winter-range  yet  lying  bare ; 

No  horse  could  o'ertake  them ;  compelled  to  forsake  them, 
Dejected,  defeated,  we  fervently  swear. 

With  ponies  all  lathered,  at  last  we  are  gathered 
About  the  bunch  ground,  and  the  branding  is  done. 

With  cut-out  we  ride  down  to  let  up  the  tied  down, 
Who  now  seem  to  fancy  they've  had  enough  run. 

The  sun  finally  setting,  and  finding  we're  getting 

As  thin  as  a  rail,  beside  sore  in  each  joint, 
We  turn  loose  our  critters  and  strike  for  our  bitters. 

For  done  is  a  hard  ride  on  Renegade  Point! 

— The  stock  of  the  Sinbad  Mining  Company  has  advanced 
five  per  cent  since  the  last  issue  of  this  paper,  and  there 
is  very  little  of  it  on  the  market.  We  learn  that  the  presi- 
dent, Mr.  Robert  Smith,  contemplates  a  trip  to  the  East  to 
visit  old  acquaintances  and  especially  his  aged  father,  whom 
he  has  not  seen  for  many  years.  All  right  Bob ;  things  will 
run  tight  along  while  you  are  away,  as  the  men  know  who 
they  are  working  for. 

— We  sre  sorry  to  learn  that  Mother  Upham  is  ill  with 
fever,  and  we  wish  to  request  her  to  draw  on  our  credit 
at  the  Company's  store  until  she  is  well.  Co.,  please  take 
notice. 

SPECIAL  NOTICE 

Father  Gardner  will  preach  from  the  old  location  dump 
next  Sunday,  Providence  permitting,  and  there  being  a  suf- 
ficient turnout.  His  text  will  be,  "The  Gold  that  Perisheth 
Not,"  of  which  the  old  gentleman  has  laid  in  a  good  supply, 
and  is  anxious  to  divide  with  the  rest  of  us ;  but  as  he  is  in 
need  of  some  of  the  miserable  stuff  for  which  we  are  all 
scrambling,  be  sure  to  have  at  least  six-bits  in  your  belt,  as 
winter  is  coming  on,  and  our  old  friend  needs  some  new 


94  THE      SINBAD      MINES: 

togs.  All  come  out,  for  you  are  sure  to  strike  it  rich,  as 
the  old  man  knows  his  ground  and  will  pan  out  big.  Some- 
time, when  you  least  expect  it,  you  will  be  called  over  the 
Divide,  and  the  trail  will  be  a  great  deal  smoother  if  Father 
Gardner  has  been  up  the  slope  on  his  knees  before  you. 

Erve  rapidly  recovered  from  his  injuries  and  was 
soon  again  conducting-  the  pack  train,  but  he  never 
passed  the  mouth  of  Ute  creek  without  feeling  the 
cold  chills  creeping  up  his  back,  as  he  remembered 
the  close  call  he  had  experienced  there,  which  re- 
sulted in  lessening  the  bad  men  of  the  mountains  by 
just  the  fourth  of  a  dozen.  When  he  looked  at 
the  trees  from  which  had  dangled  the  two  corpses 
he  remembered  the  quotation  which  he  had  so  often 
heard  the  pastor  repeat : 

"Verily,  verily,  the  way  of  the  transgressor  is 
hard." 

The  pot-hole  which  had  served  to  shield  him  from 
his  enemies  on  that  occasion  frequently  protected 
him  in  after  years  from  storms,  and  the  scar  on  the 
rocks  inflicted  by  the  robber's  bullet  was  often 
pointed  out  to  strangers  by  him  as  the  place  where 
he  "didn't  get  killed,"  although  he  had  deliberately 
disobeyed  a  request  which  is  generally  respected  by 
even  the  oldest  residents  of  the  Rockies,  as  most  of 
those  who  dared  to  do  otherwise  have  long  ago 
"gone  over  the  range,"  having  finally  "got  it  through 
their  heads." 

DREAMS  OF  MY  CHILDHOOD 

There's  a  cool  and  shady  nook  on  the  banks  of  a  brook 

That  glides  to  the  distant  river, 
Where  oft  in  my  dream  I  stand  by  the  stream, 

While  shadows  about  me  quiver. 
With  the  grass  for  my  bed  and  the  boughs  overhead, 

When  a  child  I  often  did  tarry, 
Through  the  long,  dreamy  hours  I  gathered  wild-flowers 

And   watched   for   the  mythical   fairy. 


A     TALE     OF     THE     ROCKIES  95 

Though  the  elves  never  came,  I  believed  just  the  same 

That  oft  they  saw  the  fair  spot, 
And  with  goblets  of  dew  the  flowers  filled,  new 

Fair  daisies  and  forget-me-not. 

By  the  path  in  the  wood  where  the  hobgoblin  stood, 
,    When  the  shadows  crept  over  the  land, 
I  hastened  with  dread,  scarce  daring  to  tread. 

For  fear  of  his  black,  scrawny  hand! 

Then,  in  crossing  the  marsh,  I'd  hear  voices  harsh, 

Which  grated  so  rough  on  my  ear 
That  I'd  hasten  along  to  forget  the  strange  song, 

While  I  trembled  with  pardonable  fear. 
When  I  got  into  bed  I'd  cover  my  head 

To  shut  out  the  spooks  from  my  sight, 
Till  I  saw  in  my  dreams  the  flowers  and  streams — 

Till  the  morning  dispelled  the  long  night. 

O,  I  long  for  those  days  and  the  cool  grassy  ways, 

For  the  song  of  the  birds  in  the  tree, 
For  the  croak  of  the  frogs  among  the .  rush  bogs, 

For  they  all  would  be  music  to  me. 
The  goblins  and  spooks  with  their  terrible  looks 

Would  lull  me  to  quiet  and  rest. 
O,  the  days  when  a  child  and  all  nature  smiled, 

Of  all  my  life  were  the  best ! 


96  THE      SINBAD      MINES 


CHAPTER     V 

[FTER  making  the  necessary  arrangements, 
Robert  decided  to  return  to  the  East 
and  keep  his  promise  to  his  father, 
if  he  was  still  alive,  and  although  he 
had  not  heard  from  him  for  several  years,  he  be- 
lieved that  he  still  remained  on  the  old  farm.  So 
leaving  the  business  in  charge  of  the  other  members 
of  the  firm,  who  had  not  only  proven  themselves 
competent,  but  worthy  of  the  greatest  trust,  he  re- 
turned to  Grand  Junction  and  was  soon  on  board 
the  cars  which  were  steaming  up  the  grade  toward 
Denver,  where  he  arrived  the  next  morning. 

After  spending  a  few  days  in  attending  to  busi- 
ness pertaining  to  the  company,  he  left  for  Chicago, 
which  was  reached  the  third  day  out,  to  find  that  it 
had  grown  out  of  all  recollection  to  him,  for  when 
he  left  it  twelve  years  before  it  was  little  more  than 
a  trading  post'.  In  fact,  it  was  only  a  rude  Western 
city  composed  largely  of  depots,  warehouses,  and 
one-story  buildings  backed  by  stockyards  and  front- 
ed by  saloons ;  but  now  it  was  a  metropolitan  city, 
with  immense  blocks,  great  mercantile  houses  and 
busy  wharves,  with  a  commerce  that  was  second 
to  very  few  cities  in  the  United  States. 

Robert  would  have  liked  to  remain  there  for  a 
few  days,  but  the  desire  to  see  his  aged  father,  and 
the  memory  of  his  childhood's  home  hurried  him  on, 
and  having  purchased  a  ticket,  he  was  soon  rapidly 


A     TALE     OF     THE      ROCKIES  Q7 

moving  around  the  lower  end  of  the  lake  on  his 
way  to  the  East. 

The  second  morning  out  after  leaving  Chicago 
he  found  himself  in  his  native  town.  How  it,  too, 
had  changed  since,  the  bleak  winter  morning  when 
'he  left  it,  hardly  knowing  in  what  direction  to  turn. 
Casting  his  eye  toward  the  south,  he  recognized  the 
hills  which  formed  the  horizon ;  they  appeared  quite 
natural  to  him,  but  much  nearer  than  they  used 
to.  Stepping  into  the  depot,  he  asked  the  agent  if 
he  knew  whether  Mr.  Frank  Smith  of  South  Hill 
was  still  alive.  The  agent  replied  that  he  believed 
there  was  an  old  man  up  there  by  that  name. 

Thinking  that  the  walk  would  do  him  good,  Rob- 
ert started  up  the  road  toward  his  old  home,  pass- 
ing many  of  his  former  acquaintances,  whom  he 
knew  at  once,  but  who  did  not  recognize  him,  as 
he  had  been  forgotten  long  ago.  Upon  reaching 
the  top  of  the  hill,  Robert  stopped  to  take  in  the 
view  which  was  so  indelibly  stamped  upon  his  mem- 
ory, when  years  before  he  stood  in  the  same  spot, 
but  with  his  face  turned  in  the  opposite  direction, 
without  home,  money  or  prospects  in  life. 

Then  he  was  going  into  the  world,  he  knew  not 
whither,  in  search  of  a  living  and  a  fortune,  or  to 
drift  on  through  life  as  circumstances  misfht  dictate. 
'Now  he  was  returning  to  the  same  old  home  with 
wealth,  honor  and  prospects  of  a  useful  life  before 
him,  with  hope  strong  in  his  mind,  and  with  ill 
wishes  toward  none. 

Yes,  there  was  the  old  home  among  the  trees 
looking  much  as  when  he  left  it,  but  more  shabby. 
There  was  the  brook  which  flowed  through  the 
fields,  in  which  he  used  to  wade  and  build  minature 


98  THE      SIN  BAD      MINES: 

dams.  There  was  the  orchard,  and  there  was  the 
tree  that  drooped  over  his  mother's  grave.  How 
the  memories  of  the  past  rushed  through  his  brain 
as  these  old,  familiar  sights  came  back  before  his 
vision.  It  did  not  seem  possible  that  he  had  been 
away  so  long  as  he  really  had,  but  the  memories 
were  as  fresh  as  they  could  have  been  had  it  been  but 
yesterday  when  he  last  beheld  these  scenes. 

A  column  of  thin  smoke  was  ascending  from  the 
throat  of  the  dilapidated  chimney,  and  the  unhinged 
door  of  the  kitchen  stood  slightly  ajar.  Thus  as- 
sured, Robert  quickened  his  step  and  hastened  to 
the  gate,  where  he  stopped  to  inspect  the  mound 
under  the  trees.  The  snow  had  gone  months  be- 
fore, and  the  tall  grass  had  completely  covered  the 
spot  with  its  soft  waving  mantle.  The  limbs  of  the 
old  tree,  knotty  and  gnarled,  hung  lower  than  when 
he  had  last  looked  upon  them,  while  there  seemed  to 
rest  a  sacred  stillness  about  the  spot  which  rendered 
him  oblivious  to  all  that  was  going  on  around  him. 

Stepping  quickly  forward  and  dropping  on  his 
knees,  Robert  returned  thanks  to  the  God  of  his 
mother,  who  had  kept  him  from  the  many  dangers 
which  had  beset  him,  permitting  him  to  again  re- 
turn to  his  home  in  safety,  with  abundant  means 
to  provide  for  the  comfort  of  his  aged  father.  Just 
as  he  was  about  pronouncing  the  last  words  he 
felt  a  hand  laid  upon  his  head,  and  the  voice  of  his 
father  falling  on  his  ears.  Looking  around,  Robert 
beheld  an  old  man  whose  locks  were  white  with  the 
snows  of  many  winters,  and  whose  frame  trembled 
with  emotion,  standing  before  him,  and  although  he 
recognized  the  voice,  it  seemed  to  him  impossible 
that  this  was  indeed  his  father. 


A      TALE     OF     THE     ROCKIES  99 

The  old  man  clasped  Robert  in  his  arms,  while 
the  tears  ran  down  his  withered  cheeks  as  he  recited 
to  Robert  how  terrible  had  been  his  sufferings,  and 
with  what  remorse  he  had  sorrowed  day  and  night 
since  he  had  driven  him  from  his  home.  Then  in  a 
faltering  voice  he  asked  God  to  forgive  him  for 
the  crime  which  he  had  committed,  adding  that  it 
was  the  influence  of  the  curse  of  drink  which 
had  induced  him  to  do  it,  and  that  he  had  not 
drunk  a  drop  since  the  morning  Robert  left  home, 
but  that  he  had  spent  all  these  years  in  trying  to 
atone  for  his  unfatherly  crime,  and  in  praying  that 
some  day  before  he  died  his  son  might  return  to  for- 
give him. 

Robert  rose  to  his  feet,  and  taking  his  father's 
hand,  assured  him  that  he  had  forgiven  him  long 
ago,  even  before  he  left  the  village.  His  father  re- 
plied that  if  he  could  have  known  he  was  forgiven 
it  would  have  saved  him  many  years  of  the  most 
intense  suffering,  but  that  he  well  deserved  all  of  the 
punishment  which  he  had  received. 

On  the  way  to  the  house  Robert  informed  his 
father  of  the  fortune  which  had  come  to  him,  and 
that  he  had  returned  to  make  the  remaining  years 
of  his  life  as  comfortable  as  possible,  which  he 
hoped  would  help  to  wipe  out  the  bitter  memories 
of  the  past. 

During  the  next  few  days  Robert  visited  among 
the  neighbors,  renewing  old  acquaintances  and  en- 
tertaining them  with  reminiscences  of  the  great 
West,  and  some  of  his  experiences  during  the  years 
which  had  elapsed  since  he  left  them. 

Securing  the  services  of  several  carpenters  and 
other  workmen,  he  then  proceeded  to  renovate  and 


100  THE     SINBAD      MINES: 

repair  the  old  homestead.  The  house  was  newly 
shingled  and  clapboarded,  also  being  adorned  with 
a  fresh  coat  of  paint.  New  furniture  was  bought, 
and  everything  repaired  in  the  most  substantial  man- 
ner. A  new  iron  fence  enclosed  his  mother's  grave, 
while  a  white  marble  shaft  marked  her  resting  place 
and  bore  the  inscription,  "Blessed  are  they  who  die 
in  the  Lord,  for  their  works  do  follow  them." 

While  all  these  improvements  were  going  on 
Robert's  father  looked  on  in  amazement  at  the 
transformation,  seeming  to  be  unable  to  realize  that 
so  much  good  could  possibly  come  to  him,  and  fre- 
quently repeating  to  himself,  "It  is  too  good  to  be 
true."  In  less  than  a  month  one  would  not  have 
known  the  place. 

After  completing  all  the  improvements  in  and 
about  the  place,  and  securing  the  services  of  an 
aunt  of  his  mother's  to  oversee  the  servants  and 
take  care  of  the  household,  Robert  informed  his 
father  that  he  intended  to  make  a  trip  to  the  East, 
and  incidentally  mentioned  the  name  of  the  little 
girl  .who  had  given  him  the  Bible,  and  that  he  was 
going  to  Boston  to  learn  of  her  whereabouts,  if  pos- 
sible, as  well  as  to  see  her  father — his  early  bene- 
factor. 

So  bidding  his  father  farewell,  he  soon  arrived 
in  Syracuse,  and  securing  a  ticket  to  Boston  over 
the  New  York  Central  and  the  Boston  and  Albany 
railroads,  he  arrived  in  that  city  on  the  following 
day.  As  Robert  had  little  idea  as  to  what  Mr. 
Moulton's  business  was,  if  indeed  he  was  still  alive, 
it  was  a  very  difficult  undertaking  which  he  had 
begun,  but  he  was  in  hopes,  with  the  assistance  of 
the  great  city's  directory,  which  he  at  once  consulted, 


A     TALE     OF     THE     ROCKIES  IOI 

that  he  might  succeed.  But  in  perusing  it  he  was 
very  much  surprised  to  find  that  there  were  a  great 
many  Moultons  in  the  city. 

He  also  learned  that  it  was  the  custom  of  many 
of  the  Eastern  people  who  reside  in  the  suburban 
towns  near  Boston  frequently  to  give  their  addresses 
when  traveling,  as  Boston,  Mass.  It  was  more  than 
probable  that  his  old  friend  might  have  done  this — 
or,  if  he  had  actually  lived  there  at  the  time  of  his 
acquaintance  with  him,  he  might  have  removed  to 
other  parts  ere  this. 

However,  in  accordance  with  the  first  proposition, 
not  having  found  him  in  Boston,  Robert  visited  the 
adjoining  towns  of  Summerville,  Brooklyne,  Mel- 
rose,  Newton,  Waltham  and  several  others,  con- 
sulting all  of  their  directories.  He  also  followed  up 
many  clews,  to  find  that  he  was  either  misinformed 
or  that  he  was  not  pursuing  the  right  man.  He 
continued  his  search  for  several  weeks,  and  finally 
became  satisfied  that  the  family  for  whom  he  was 
looking  had  gone  abroad  for  a  tour  of  the  con- 
tinent. 

As  soon  as  he  was  convinced  of  this  fact  Robert 
concluded  to  follow  them,  and  after  a  little  corres- 
pondence succeeded  in  securing  a  state-room  on  the 
steamship  "Workingdam"  of  the  Netherland- 
American  line,  bound  for  Amsterdam,  Holland, 
and  as  the  ship  would  sail  from  New  York,  he  im- 
mediately proceeded  to  that  city  over  the  Short  Line 
to  New  London,  Conn.,  where  he  took  passage  on 
the  steamship,  "City  of  New  York,"  arriving  there 
in  time  for  a  good  view  of  the  Brooklyn  Bridge  and 
an  early  breakfast. 

As  the  ship  did  not  sail  until  the  next  morning, 


THE      SINBAD      MINES: 


Robert  spent  the  day  in  sight-seeing,  going  on  board 
at  night  in  time  to  fix  up  his  state-rooms,  making 
them  look  tidy  and  homelike. 

During  the  night  the  noise  produced  by  the  great 
cranes  and  hoisting  engines  which  were  lowering 
great  quantities  of  freight  into  the  hold  of  the  ves- 
sel, added  to  the  confusion  and  babble  of  voices  in 
and  about  the  wharves  near  where  the  ship  lay,  and 
the  groaning  and  puffing  of  steam  barges,  which 
were  continually  passing  and  repassing,  prevented 
Robert  from  getting  much  sleep.  This,  however, 
did  not  disturb  him,  as  he  was  enabled  to  learn  con- 
siderable in  regard  to  the  capacity  of  an  ocean 
steamer,  as  he  gazed  with  awe  and  amazement  at  the 
enormous  amount  of  merchandise  which  was  being 
stowed  away  in  its  capacious  interior. 

He  arose  very  early  in  the  morning  to  find  that 
the  roustabouts  were  still  as  busy  as  on  the  previous 
evening,  and  that  the  hoisting  machinery  was  yet 
hard  at  work  lowering  bags  of  flour  into  the  hold, 
which  it  seemed  to  him  would  never  be  filled.  Soon 
after  daylight  the  last  of  the  cargo  was  stowed 
away  and  the  hatchways  closed,  the  decks  scrubbed 
down,  and  all  made  ready  for  sea. 

The  passengers  now  began  to  arrive,  creating  the 
greatest  confusion  as  they  hurried  about  attending 
to  the  disposal  of  their  baggage,  or  seeking  friends 
with  whom  they  had  important  business  which  must 
be  attended  to  at  once,  as  in  a  few  hours  they  would 
be  out  of  reach  of  any  message  which  might  be 
intended  for  them.  Just  as  the  confusion  was  at  its 
height  the  warning  cry  of  "all  ashore !"  sounds  over 
the  decks,  and  the  friends  hardly  have  time  to  reach 
the  pier  before  the  gang-plank  is  hauled  in,  the  lines 


A      TALE      OF      THE      ROCKIES  IO3 

thrown  off,  and  the  boat  swings  out  into  the  stream. 

It  is  towed  to  a  safe  distance  from  the  shore, 
when  its  great  heart  begins  to  pulsate,  and  the  pas- 
sengers realize  that  they  have  really  started  on  their 
long  journey.  As  Robert  casts  his  eye  about  him, 
he  sees  the  Battery  to  his  left,  the  Jersey  banks  to 
the  right,  and  the  Statute  of  Liberty  a  little  in  front 
of  him.  Breakfast  is  announced  and  they  all  go 
below  to  partake  of  a  sumptous  meal  in  the  grand 
dining  room.  When  they  again  reach  the  deck  they 
are  opposite  Far  Rockaway  and  Coney  Island,  with 
Sandy  Hook  stretching  away  to  the  southwest. 

The  passengers  begin  to  make  acquaintances; 
small  knots  of  people  cluster  about  each  other  on  the 
promenade  deck  and  try  to  become  interested  in  con- 
versation in  order  to  drive  away  sad  thoughts  of 
home  and  friends.  Hundreds  of  birds  are  seen  flit- 
ting about  in  the  wake  of  the  boat,  while  happy 
children  romp  the  decks.  The  boat  begins  to  rise 
and  fall  with  a  lazy  motion,  which  impresses  Robert 
with  the  fact  that  they  have  left  "terra  firma,"  and 
are  out  of  sight  of  land,  but  there  are  a  great  many 
other  crafts  in  sight,  and  he  does  not  mind  it  so 
long  as  there  is  plenty  of  company. 

Dinner  is  announced,  but  Robert  is  so  much  in- 
terested in  the  study  of  the  passengers  that  he  re- 
mains on  deck.  All  of  the  different  characters  are 
among  the  list;  the  tourist  who  has  "been  there," 
it  matters  not  what  part  of  the  world  you  may  men- 
tion; the  business  man  who  is  completely  absorbed 
in  his  schemes ;  the  granger  from  Vermont,  who 
has  recently  mortgaged  his  farm  in  order  that  he 
may  see  the  sights ;  and  the  verdant  youth  from  the 


IO4  THE      SINBAD      MINES: 

country  who  has  but  just  started  out  to  seek  his 
fortune. 

The  "sharper"  is  along,  to  gull  the  unwary 
and  become  the  trusted  friend  of  the  wise  old  maid 
who  is  not  to  be  fooled — not  she!  The  innocent 
young  girl  who  has  recently  lost  her  parents  and  is 
on  her  way  to  distant  relatives  in  the  Old  Country, 
and  the  cynic  who  cares  for  no  one  but  himself.  The 
ministerial-looking  gentleman  from  the  city,  and 
the  all-around  hustler  from  the  busy  West ; — yes,  all 
are  well  represented,  and  Robert  becomes  aware  that 
a  great  ocean  steamship  at  sea  is  a  world  in  itself. 

His  thoughts,  however,  are  suddenly  interrupted 
by  the  appearance  of  one  character  which  he  had 
entirely  overlooked — yes,  it  is  a  real  live  dude!  As 
Robert  surveys  him  with  unfeigned  curiosity  he  re- 
marks to  himself,  "It  is  well  we  are  all  here!" 

His  meditations  are  suddenly  interrupted  by  a 
lurch  of  the  ship  which  calls  his  attention  to  the  fact 
that  there  is  quite  a  sea  on,  which  is  more  apparent 
when  he  attempts  to  descend  the  cabin  stairs  on  his 
way  to  the  supper  table,  which  he  finally  reaches, 
to  find  that  the  dishes  are  "fenced"  on  the  table, 
while  the  soup  and  coffee  are  dispensed  quite 
promiscuously  by  the  waiters,  who  are  unable  to 
keep  their  balance.  Although  he  is  not  sea-sick — 
of  course  not — he  is  not  landlubber  enough  for  that, 
he  does  not  feel  as  though  he  wished  for  any  sup- 
per. The  fact  is,  he  has  been  having  trouble  with 
his  stomach  for  sometime;  a  sort  of  a  bilious  spell 
which  has  induced  a  sick-headache, — or  something 
that  is  a  great  deal  worse.  But  of  course  he  does 
not  mention  the  fact  that  he  is  awfully  sea-sick. 

By  the  next  morning  a  storm  has  overtaken  them, 


A      TALE     OF     THE     ROCKIES  IO5 

and  the  good  ship  is  rolling  and  pitching  in  a  man- 
ner that  precludes  all  out-of-door  exercise,  and  the 
day  is  spent  in  spinning  yarns  and  playing  cards. 
During  the  night  it  grows  very  cold,  and  a  dense 
fog  settling  down,  it  is  necessary  to  keep  the  fog- 
whistle  blowing  almost  constantly,  while  the  speed 
of  the  engine  is  reduced  one-half. 

Just  as  the  day  is  breaking  they  enter  an  immense 
field  of  ice,  which  subsequently  proves  to  be  as  large 
as  the  state  of  New  York.  A  sharp  lookout  is  nec- 
essary to  prevent  a  collision  with  the  icebergs,  as 
the  sea  is  very  rough,  and  many  times  they  are 
in  a  dangerous  position;  but  by  the  narrowest 
chances  they  escape  all  harm,  and  by  noon  are  out 
of  the  ice  and  have  reached  smooth  water,  thankful 
that  the  danger  is  passed. 

The  next  day  they  are  visited  by  a  fine  pair  of 
whales,  who  come  alongside  and  seem  to  eye  the 
passengers  with  as  much  curiosity  and  surprise  as 
is  manifested  by  the  people  themselves.  Dolphins 
and  porpoises  are  often  seen,  and  at  night  especially, 
if  quite  dark  and  calm,  Robert  loves  to  lean  over 
the  side  of  the  ship  and  watch  the  phosphorescence 
of  the  water,  caused  by  the  myriads  of  small  animal 
life  which  have  been  disturbed  by  the  passage  of 
the  boat  as  it  cuts  through  the  water.  Sometimes 
this  phenomenon  extends  for  several  hundred  yards 
from  the  boat,  and  lights  up  the  water's  surface 
with  a  strange  and  unearthly  glow. 

So  days  and  nights  pass  rapidly  away  with  noth- 
ing of  importance  to  mar  their  happiness  until,  as 
the  ship  is  entering  the  English  Channel,  they  are 
apprised  that  one  of  the  passengers  has  died  of 
typhoid  fever,  and  that  on  account  of  the  rigid  quar- 


IC)6  THE      SINBAD      MINES: 

antine  at  the  port  to  which  they  are  bound,  they 
will  be  compelled  to  bury  the  remains  at  sea.  The 
coffin  is  inclosed  in  the  grave  box,  which  has  pre- 
viously been  weighted  so  that  it  will  sink,  the  flag 
is  lowered,  the  engines  stopped,  and  the  box  raised 
to  the  gunwale  of  the  ship,  where,  after  a  short 
prayer  by  the  chaplain,  it  is  dropped  into  the  sea  to 
sink  out  of  sight.  The  flag  is  raised,  the  engines 
started,  and  they  proceed  on  their  way,  leaving  the 
once  fair  form  to  the  tender  care  of  Him  who  fash- 
ioned it. 

Just  before  dinner  their  dismal  thoughts  are  in- 
terrupted by  the  cry  of  the  forward  watch,  who  sings 
out,  "land  ho!"  and  away  toward  the  northeast  can 
be  seen  rising  from  the  water  the  rocky  reefs  of  the 
Sicilly  Island  and  the  massive  tower  of  the  Eddy- 
stone  lighthouse,  and  a  little  later  in  the  day,  to  the 
north  of  their  track,  looms  up  the  immense  chalk 
banks  of  the  south  shores  of  England,  while  to  the 
southeast  appears  the  bold  promontories  of  the  head- 
lands of  sunny  France.  Immediately  in  front  of 
them,  nestled  in  a  niche  of  the  bluff,  lies  the  ancient 
city  of  Boulogne. 

As  they  approach  the  harbor  a  steam  launch  deco- 
rated with  the  "Stars  and  Stripes,"  together  with 
the  flag  of  France,  puts  out  from  the  shore,  and  as 
they  drop  anchor,  comes  along-side  with  passengers 
for  northern  ports,  who  exchange  places  with  those 
who  are  bound  for  the  French  capital.  The  view 
along  the  shores  of  the  Straits  of  Dover,  lighted  up 
by  a  glorious  sunset  which  gilds  the  wings  of  the 
lazy  wind-mills,  and  casts  dark  shadows  athwart  the 
deep  ravines,  presents  a  picture  of  loveliness  entirely 


A      TALE      OF      THE      ROCKIES  l&J 

new  to  Robert,  and  one  which  will  be  long  remem- 
bered. 

As  the  full  moon  rises,  suspended  in  a  halo  of  mist, 
over  the  ancient  city  of  Calais,  a  soft  breeze  is 
wafted  across  to  them  from  the  green  fields  of 
"merry  old  England,"  laden  with  the  perfume  of 
new-mown  hay  and  fragrant  flowers,  which  ripples 
the  quiet  waters  of  the  bay,  and  filling  the  sails  of 
passing  ships,  sends  them  forward  as  though  ani- 
mated by  the  grandeur  of  the  scene. 

ON  A  MOON-LIT  SEA 

The  good   ship   ploughs   the  restless   waves, 

Which   dance   about   in   glee, 
As  like  a  phantom  of  the  night, 

She  rides  the  moon-lit  sea. 

Her  sails  all  set  like  angel's  wings 

Entrap  the  evening  breeze, 
Which  wafts  her  on  to  distant  ports 

In   storm-tossed  northern   seas. 

The  sailor,  treading  slow  her  decks, 

Or  swinging  down  below, 
Is  painting  pictures  of  the  past, 

Of  scenes  of  long  ago: — 

When  mother  kissed  her  sailor  boy 

And  bade  his  safe  return; 
When  in  another's  weeping  eyes 

He  saw  love's  passion  burn. 

And  as  he  dreams  he  seems  to  feel 

The  pressure  of  their  lips 
Upon  his  hot  and  throbbing  brow ; 

Love's  joy  he   freely  sips ! 

Sail  on,  good  ship,  with  all  thy  speed, 

And  bear  thy  sailor  boys 
To  meet  with  those  of  whom  you  dream, 

With  love  and  all  its  joys ! 


IO8  THE      SINBAD      MINES: 

As  Robert  gazes  at  the  innumerable  lights  spark- 
ling along  the  distant  shores,  defended  by  massive 
fortresses,  and  guarded  by  plumed  knights,  connect- 
ing them  with  ancient  legends  of  chivalry,  he  for- 
gets the  many  anxieties  of  his  long  journey,  feeling 
that  the  realization  of  such  an  hour  is  ample  remun- 
eration for  many  of  its  hardships.  It  is  with  a  feel- 
ing of  gratitude  that  he  reluctantly  goes  below  to 
dream  of  valaint  knights,  ancient  romance,  and  his 
beautiful  Alice. 

Early  the  next  morning  all  is  astir  as  they  are 
nearing  the  end  of  their  journey.  A  line  of  surf  is 
dimly  seen  through  the  morning  mist.  Passengers 
by  twos  and  threes  are  straggling  on  deck,  fresh 
from  their  cozy  berths.  They  eye  with  pity  the  few 
who,  still  swarthed  in  rugs,  found  sufficient  charm  in 
the  beauties  of  the  night  to  remain  on  deck.  The 
sleepers,  chirrupy  and  in  the  best  of  humor,  are  in- 
clined to  talk,  while  the  watchers  nodding  and  out 
of  temper  are  inclined  to  silence.  The  sleepers  are 
anxious  to  know  where  they  are ;  the  watchers,  tired 
and  curt,  want  to  sleep. 

"By  jove!  Look  there!"  cries  the  last  arrival  on 
deck. 

Eyes  are  turned  and  glasses  leveled  with  the 
speaker's,  who  flourishes  his  binocular  and  looks 
excited. 

"  A  reef!  Isn't  it?"  he  inquires  of  a  be-rugged 
watcher,  pointing  to  a  distant  line  of  broken  surf. 

"No  sir.  That  is  not  a  reef,"  in  a  distinctly  un- 
communicative voice. 

"Oh!     A  sand-bank,  perhaps? 

"No,  sir !    That  is  not  a  sand-bank." 


A     TALE     OF     THE     P.  0  C  X  I  E  8  100 

"Dear  me !"  exclaims  the  questioner  turning  pale. 
"Then  perhaps " 

"That,  sir,  is  Holland." 

Beyond  the  line  of  broken  surf  he  of  the  binocular 
can  see  nothing  on  the  horizon  but  a  blood-red  spot 
and  a  bank  of  grey  clouds  fleeced  with  crimson. 
The  haze  clears  a  little  as  the  spot  spreads  into  a 
flood  of  golden  flame,  which  deluges  the  world  of 
sea  and  sky  with  its  warm,  cheery  light. 

Morning  has  come  and  its  effect  is  magical.  The 
be-rugged  watchers  throw  away  their  wraps;  tiny 
feet  come  tripping  up  the  gangway,  while  the  un- 
settled owner  of  the  binocular  forgets  to  wonder 
over  this  invisible  country  with  its  imperceptible 
coast  line.  Only  a  little  obstinate  cloud  of  mist, 
which  the  bright  sun  has  failed  to  scatter,  still  hangs 
sullenly  over  the  sea. 

"S-t-Or-r-b-o-a-r-d!"  cries  a  hoarse  voice  from  the 
bridge. 

"S-t-a-r-b-o-a-r-d!"  sings  the  helmsman,  steering 
for  the  patch  of  haze. 

The  transparent  green  of  the  water  has  now 
changed  to  a  muddy  brown,  owing  to  the  fact  that 
it  is  contaminated  with  the  mud  which  is  drifting 
out  to  sea  from  the  rivers  which  enter  from  the  land. 
Where  the  mist  rests  there  is  a  break  in  the  surf,  and 
'mid  a  flutter  of  excitement,  the  erratic  owner  of 
the  binocular  hysterically  announces  "land!"  which 
at  last  can  be  made  out  stretching  away  on  either 
hand,  a  flat,  shallow,  shining  strand,  boasting  inci- 
pient sand-hills,  and  in  the  haze  where  the  line  of 
foam  is  broken  can  be  seen  the  mouth  of  a  canal. 

On  one  side  juts  out  a  ragged  ridge  of  sand, 
forming  a  breakwater,  and  nearby  is  a  clump  of 


IIO  THE      SINBAD      MINES: 

wooden  huts,  which  look  piratical,  but  which  turn 
out  to  be  the  coast  guard.  On  the  opposite  bank 
another  spit  of  land  on  which  is  seen  the  shadowy 
outline  of  a  wind-mill  swinging  its  great  arms  about 
in  its  unwieldly  bulk,  like  some  floundering  giant 
taking  his  swimming  lesson  before  breakfast. 

As  they  approach  the  dykes  their  immense  valves 
swing  open,  and  the  ship  enters  the  mouth  of  the 
canal.  Robert  can  see  below  him  the  red  roofs  of 
the  houses,  and  the  sensation  is  a  strange  one  as  the 
water  is  let  off,  and  the  vessel  sinks  down  to  the 
level  of  the  surrounding  country.  They  are  but 
fairly  inside  the  lock  when  they  are  met  by  a  crowd 
of  old  women  who  run  along  the  pier  with  long 
poles,  from  the  ends  of  which  are  suspended  small 
baskets  of  strawberries,  which  they  offer  for  the  low 
price  of  five  cents  a  basket.  Robert  secures  some 
of  the  berries  for  the  little  ones  on  board,  who  en- 
jov  them  very  much. 

The  great  ship  is  now  down  to  the  level  of  the 
country,  and  is  winding  its  way  among  most  beau- 
tiful and  picturesque  scenery.  To  the  southeast  of 
them  lies  the  old  cities  of  Elkmar  and  Edham, — 
famous  for  their  cheese, — while  toward  the  south 
arise  the  spires  of  the  city  from  which  come  the 
Skedam  schnaps,  which  the  Hollander  loves  so  well. 

Toward  the  northeast,  blazing  under  the  noonday 
sun,  is  the  beautiful  Zuider  Zee,  with  its  ancient  sub- 
merged cities,  while  nearly  in  front  of  them  looms 
up  the  metropolis  of  Holland, — Amsterdam,  which 
presents  a  misty  vision  of  trees,  tall  and  overshad- 
owing the  water's  edsre ;  of  gabled  houses,  still  taller, 
and  those  topped  with  great  spires ;  masts  and  wind- 
mills in  the  distance  and  steamers  in  the  foreground, 


A      TALE     OF     THE     ROCKIES  III 

slowly  winding-  their  way  through  a  multitude  of 
strangely  shaped  boats  and  barges.  The  whistle 
sounds  a  farewell  blast,  and  the  "Workingdam"  is 
lying  along  her  quay  in  the  river  Y. 

The  inhabitants  of  Amsterdam,  like  rooks,  live  in 
the  tops  of  trees,  all  of  their  buildings  being  erected 
on  a  large  number  of  piles  which  are  driven  into 
the  soft  mud  of  the  Amsdell  river  flats.  Thus  one 
of  the  finest  cities  of  the  world,  with  its  three  hun- 
dred thousand  people,  rests  on  the  tops  of  trees. 
After  the  quiet  and  repose  of  their  long  journey,  its 
feverish  new-world  life  in  its  quaint  old-world 
frame,  comes  to  them  with  a  pleasant  shock. 

HOLLAND 

A  line  of  surf  that  scarce  divides 
The  blue  of  sea  from  blue  of  sky; 

A  spot  of  land  that  bears  aloft 
A  rugged  tower  with  blazing  eye 

That   peers   across   the   murky  deep 
When   angry  storms  the  waters  sweep. 

Great  dykes  to  keep  the  ocean  back 
From  rushing  o'er  the  fertile  plain, 

Where  pampered  cattle  listless  feed, 
Or  waves  the  slowly  ripening  grain, 

Near  homes  long  wrested  from  the  sea 
Beside  the  dancing  Zuider  Zee ! 

Gigantic  wind-mills  spread  their  arms 

Above  the  placid  water  ways, 
Where  boatmen  guide  their  clumsy  crafts 

Through  the  long,  bright  summer  days, 
Or  skim  the  frozen  surface  o'er 

When  winds  of  winter  loudly  roar. 

Where  graceful  spires  in  grandeur  rfse 
Like  incense  from  a  saint  at  prayer, 

And  chiming  bells  in   mellow  tones 
Ring  out  upon  the  balmy  air; 

Where  all  who  tread  this  fallen  sphere 
May  worship  God  devoid  of  fear. 


112  THE     SINBAD      MINES: 

Such  is  the  land  of  which  I  sing, 
A  land  where  peace  and  comfort  dwell, 

Once  rescued  from  old  Neptune's  wave 
By  those  who  guard  its  sea-walls  well. 

Such  may  it  be  when  years  are  old, 
Nor  may  its  homes  e'en  then  grow  cold ! 

Amsterdam  derives  its  name  from  the  fact  that  its 
dykes  here  form  a  dam  to  the  Amsdell  river.  The 
streets  are  generally  represented  by  canals,  which 
are  crowded  at  all  times  by  the  queerest  looking 
crafts,  nearly  square  and  very  abrupt  at  the  ends, 
scrubbed  until  the  decks  are  immaculate,  and  loaded 
with  products  which  have  come  from  all  parts  of 
the  country.  Consequently,  their  owners,  which 
generally  include  a  whole  Dutch  family,  represent 
all  of  the  different  characters  and  all  of  the  different 
styles  of  dress  of  the  Dutch  nation,  those  from  the 
north  of  Holland  being  the  most  strangely  dressed. 

These  boats  are  usually  propelled  by  the  aid  of 
poles  in  the  hands  of  portly-looking  women,  who 
manage  them  so  nicely  that  they  glide  along  among 
their  neighbors  without  ever  scratching  them  in  the 
least,  as  gracefully  as  swans.  All  streets  in  the  city 
of  any  importance  lead  to  the  Dam,  a  large  public 
square  which  is  the  most  important  part  of  the  city, 
and  where  is  located  the  Bourse,  the  Exchange,  the 
Marble  Hall,  and  many  other  beautiful  edifices. 

The  Marble  Hall  has  done  service  both  as  City 
Hall  and  as  a  royal  residence,  as  it  was  occupied 
at  times  by  Napoleon  when  he  laid  claims  to  Hol- 
land on  the  ground  that  it  belonged  to  him,  as  it 
had  been  formed  from  mud  which  floated  down 
from  French  rivers, — a  claim  that  was  considered 
at  that  time  by  other  nations  as  literally  "far- 


A     TALE     OF     THE     ROCKIES  113 

fetched."  This  is  a  wonderful  building,  resting 
upon  six  thousand  five  hundred  piles,  and  composed 
of  the  finest  marble,  the  original  cost  of  the  building 
exceeding  one  million  pounds  sterling. 

Robert  never  seemed  to  tire  of  the  soft  and  mel- 
low music  which  every  quarter  hour  floated  down 
from  the  belfry  towers  of  the  grand  old  churches, 
some  of  which  are  renowned  the  world  over.  These 
chimes  are  kept  in  perfect  repair,  and  their  mellow 
strains  linger  with  one  for  years  after. 

As  he  wandered  through  the  aisles  of  Riyjks 
Museum  and  beheld  the  master-pieces  of  the  old 
painters,  his  mind  was  filled  with  wonder  and  awe 
at  the  beauties  which  he  saw  depicted  upon  the  can- 
vas, which  had  been  made  famous  by  the  masterly 
hand  of  Van  Dyck  or  Rembrandt,  and  he  asked  him- 
self the  question  which  many  have  done  before, 
"Is  the  world  progressing  in  the  arts?"  If,  so, 
why  cannot  these  paintings  be  duplicated  at  the 
present  day  ?  One  of  the  many  pictures  of  the  young 
wife  of  Rembrandt  particularly  struck  his  fancy, 
and  he  immediately  arranged  with  one  of  the  best 
painters  of  the  city  for  a  copy,  which  he  still  prizes 
very  much. 

"Cleanliness  is  next  to  godliness"  with  the  Dutch ; 
in  fact  it  is  godliness  with  them,  as  one  of  their 
most  observed  mottoes,  represented  by  two  capital 
S's  (which  is  the  plural  for  scrub),  is  observed  with 
most  scrupulous  exactness.  Honesty  is  everywhere 
apparent.  All  articles  offered  for  sale  are  just  what 
they  are  represented  to  be,  the  price  being  marked  in 
the  plainest  manner.  There  is  no  "jewing,"  al- 
though most  of  the  merchants  are  Jews,  and  you  may 


114  THE      SINBAD      MINES: 

be  sure  that  all  articles  purchased  in  Amsterdam  will 
be  exactly  what  you  pay  for. 

Robert  found  the  hotels  to  be  models  of  perfec- 
tion, although  they  lacked  the  comfortable  appear- 
ance of  the  better  class  of  American  houses  on  ac- 
count of  the  want  of  upholstering. 

Holland  is  a  beautiful  country  and  the  Dutch 
a  most  hospitable  people,  and  when  Robert  con- 
cluded to  leave  them,  owing  to  the  fact  that  he  had 
become  convinced  that  the  Moultons,  although  hav- 
ing been  there,  had  left  for  Berlin,  he  felt  as  though 
he  was  leaving  many  new  but  warm  friends. 

One  pleasant  evening  he  made  his  way  to  the  Cen- 
tral Station,  where  he  was  disappointed  to  find  that 
his  baggage  had  been  returned  to  the  Custom  House. 
A  few  "gilders,"  however,  induced  the  very  oblig- 
ing official  to  send  for  it,  and  Robert  was  soon  on 
his  way  to  Hanover,  which  he  reached  the  following 
day,  only  to  stop  over  night,  as  he  was  informed  that 
those  for  whom  he  was  looking  had  gone  directly  to 
the  German  capital,  and  he  was  very  anxious 
to  know  whether  the  friendship  which  had  sprung 
up  between  them  so  many  years  before  still  existed. 

When  he  awoke  the  next  morning  the  train  was 
approaching  some  large  city,  the  spires  of  which  he 
could  see  from  his  window  as  the  train  rounded  the 
Y  to  make  into  the  depot.  This  practice  is  common 
in  the  old  country  where  the  land  is  too  valuable 
for  the  railroads  to  obtain  a  right-of-way  directly 
through  the  city.  Robert  could  see  the  roofs  of  the 
houses  as  well  as  large  business  squares  below  him, 
and  he  was  informed  by  the  porter  that  in  Berlin 
all  steam  cars  were  elevated  above  the  business 


A      TALE      OF     THE      ROCKIES  115 

blocks,  while  stores  of  all  kinds  were  located  under- 
neath the  great  iron  trestles. 

Suddenly  the  train  came  out  over  a  beautiful  gar- 
den, in  the  midst  of  which  stood  the  Circus  Renz, 
and  a  little  in  front  and  to  the  right,  the  "Thier 
Gartens,"  or  deer  park,  with  its  fresh,  green  grass 
and  beautiful  shrubbery,  through  which  extended 
many  delightful  bridle  paths,  often  frequented  by 
tame  deer  and  other  petted  animals;  while  nearly 
opposite,  is  the  Column  of  Liberty,  erected  in  honor 
of  the  victory  gained  over  the  French  in  the  Franco- 
Prussian  war,  composed  entirely  from  cannon  cap- 
tured during  that  campaign. 

While  Robert  was  still  musing  over  these  tragic 
events,  the  guard  unlocked  his  apartment  and 
shouted  "Alexanderplatz !"  whereupon  he  stepped 
out  upon  the  platform,  and  after  consulting  his 
"Baedeker,"  or  guide  book,  ordered  a  "drosky"  and 
was  driven  to  the  Grand  Central  Hotel,  which  he 
afterwards  learned  was  located  on  the  square,  the 
name  of  which  had  sounded  so  strange  when  shouted 
by  the  guard.  It  was  Alexander  Platz,  or  Alexan- 
der Square,  the  name  of  which  was  also  applied  to 
the  railroad  station. 

Here  he  secured  some  pleasant  rooms  and  set  to 
work  to  make  himself  at  home,  but  not  being  ac- 
quainted with  the  customs  of  the  country,  he  made 
several  odd  mistakes,  and  was  finally  obliged  to 
ask  assistance  of  the  porter,  who  spoke  English  very 
well,  and  who  succeeded  in  remedying  them.  Be- 
lieving that  the  object  of  his  search  was  within  the 
limits  of  the  great  city,  he  began  to  mature  plans  to 
locate  them  if  possible.  He  reasoned  that  if  they 
were  stopping  in  the  city  for  any  great  length  of  time 


Il6  THE      SINBAD      MINES: 

they  would  probably  be  domiciled  at  some  of  the 
great  pensions. 

Consequently  he  set  out  to  visit  them,  and  had 
nearly  made  the  rounds  of  the  most  pretentious 
when  he  was  informed  that  a  party  with  his  wife 
and  three  children  had  been  stopping  at  the  Keiser- 
hoff,  having  left  but  a  few  days  before,  for  what 
parts  the  steward  did  not  know,  but  thought  they 
had  not  left  the  city. 

One  day  while  Robert  was  strolling  along  "Unter 
Den  Linden"  he  fell  in  with  an  American  dentist, 
who  was  a  resident  of  the  city  and  well  acquainted 
with  many  of  the  society  people.  From  him  Rob- 
ert learned  more  in  relation  to  the  people  for  whom 
he  was  looking;  that  they  were  to  be  at  a  grand 
party  which  was  to  be  given  in  "Kroll's  Garden" 
the  following  evening,  and  to  which  his  new-found 
friend  gave  him  an  invitation,  which  he  very  gladly 
accepted. 

Having  entered  the  grounds  a  little  early,  they 
took  a  seat  near  the  entrance,  keeping  a  sharp  look- 
out for  the  expected  Americans.  After  waiting  for 
a  long  time,  and  when  he  had  nearly  given  up  hopes 
of  seeing  them,  his  friend  called  his  attention  to  a 
group  who  were  just  entering  the  gate — a  man,  per- 
haps sixty-five  years  old,  escorting  a  lady  not  over 
twenty.  Robert  was  not  certain  as  to  whether  he 
recognized  them  or  not,  as  he  was  some  distance 
away,  and  there  was  such  a  crowd  in  the  garden 
that  he  only  caught  a  glimpse  of  them. 

Moving  closer  to  where  they  were  seated,  he  learn- 
that  they  were  Americans,  that  they  were  from 
Boston,  and  that  their  name  was  Moulton.  Then, 
as  the  old  gentleman  turned  his  face  in  such  a  posi- 


A      TALE     OF     THE     ROCKIES  II? 

tion  that  the  light  fell  upon  it,  Robert  recognized 
his  old  friend,  and  the  lady  beside  him  as  the  little 
Alice  who  had  given  him  the  Bible, — the  woman 
he  had  come  so  far  to  see. 

His  first  impulse  was  to  at  once  present  himself, 
but  upon  further  consideration  he  concluded  to  wait 
a  little  and  ascertain,  if  he  could,  more  about  them. 
He  concluded  to  follow  them  to  their  stopping  place 
when  they  retired,  and  the  next  day  call  and  see 
them,  avoiding  introducing  himself  except  as  an 
American  who  was  doing  the  continent  as  they  were, 
and  in  this  way  learn  something  of  their  plans,  and 
whether  Miss  Alice  had  forgotten  him.  Or  if  she 
was  still  free  to  accept  his  love? 

When  the  party  broke  up  Robert  and  his  friend 
leisurely  strolled  along  behind  the  MouJtons  until 
they  entered  a  fashionable  hotel  in  Frederick 
Strausse,  when  Robert  hastened  to  his  room  to  pon- 
der over  the  matter  until  the  following  forenoon. 
The  more  he  thought  of  it  the  more  probable  it 
seemed  to  him  that  Alice  had  forgotten  him  during 
the  long  interim.  Even  if  she  had  not,  it  was  pre- 
sumptuous in  him  to  imagine  that  she  would  care 
for  him  now,  as  he  was  entirely  unknown  to  her  ex- 
cept as  a  servant  in  her  father's  family  for  a  short 
time,  and  a  very  dependent  one  at  that.  Then  he 
thought  what  a  foolish  idea  it  was  in  him  to  suppose 
for  a  moment  that,  because  he  had  made  her  his 
ideal,  she  would  be  at  all  likely  to  even  care  to  know 
that  he  was  in  existence. 

As  he  sat  and  thought  the  matter  over  he  became 
entirely  disgusted  with  himself,  and  finally  formed 
the  determination  to  immediately  return  to  his 
home  and  begin  to  live  a  rational  life  again.  Be- 


Il8  THE      SINBAD      MINES: 

rating  himself  for  the  unreasonable  idea  which  he 
now  accused  himself  of  entertaining,  he  fell  finally 
into  a  troubled  sleep,  from  which  he  was  awakened 
by  the  passing  of  a  company  of  soldiers,  to  find 
that  it  was  very  late,  and  with  a  feeling  that  he  had 
endured  some  terrible  nightmare. 

After  a  hasty  toilet  he  descended  to  the  office 
and  was  busily  engaged  in  perusing  a  time  table  of 
transatlantic  steamships  when  he  was  approached  by 
an  elderly  gentleman  whom  he  at  once  recognized 
as  Mr.  Moulton.  But  as  he  was  sure  he  did  not  rec- 
ognize him,  Robert  answered  his  salutation  in  a 
somewhat  reserved  manner,  although  courteous. 
Mr.  Moulton  said  he  had  been  pointed  out  to  him 
as  an  American  who  was  traveling,  like  himself, 
and  that  he  was  an  entire  stranger  in  the  country 
doing  the  continent  for  his  wife's  health,  and  had 
called  to  learn  what  was  the  best  route  to  take,  fin- 
ishing his  remark  by  inviting  Robert  to  call  upon 
them. 

After  Mr.  Moulton  had  gone  it  seemed  to  Robert 
that  there  must  be  some  providence  which  had 
brought  about  the  meeting,  and  throwing  the  guide- 
book on  the  counter,  he  stepped  to  the  cafe  and 
ordered  a  light  breakfast.  He  was  unable  to  eat  it, 
however,  when  it  was  brought,  as  his  mind  was  too 
much  occupied  with  his  anticipated  evening  call.  It 
seemed  to  him  that  the  day  would  never  wear  away, 
notwithstanding  the  fact  that  he  had  risen  so  un- 
commonly late. 

The  next  problem  to  be  solved  was  as  to  whether 
he  had  better  inform  them  as  to  his  identity,  or 
would  it  be  better  to  allow  them  to  think  of  him 
simply  as  one  of  their  own  countrymen,  and  in  that 


TALE      OF      THE      ROCKIES 


capacity  offer  them  any  assistance  which  they  might 
need.  Still  undecided  as  to  the  best  course  to  pur- 
sue, Robert  ordered  a  drosky  and  was  driven  to  the 
door  of  the  apartments  occupied  by  the  Moultons. 

In  answer  to  the  bell  Miss  Alice  came  to  admit 
him,  and  received  his  card,  which  she  carried  to  her 
father,  who  soon  appeared  and  invited  him  to  join 
them  in  the  sitting  room,  where  he  introduced  him 
to  Mrs.  Moulton,  Miss  Alice  and  Master  Charles. 
Robert  was  soon  interested  in  conversation  with 
Mr.  Moulton,  and  as  he  watched  the  features  of 
Miss  Alice,  he  was  certain  that  she  did  not  remem- 
ber his  name,  or  if  she  did,  did  not  connect  it  with 
the  boy  whom  she  used  to  follow  about  the  car. 

He  also  observed  that  she  had  developed  into  a 
beautiful  woman,  with  dark-brown  hair  lightly 
combed  back  from  a  beautiful  forehead,  dark- 
brown  eyes  which  shown  with  an  intelligent  and 
healthy  lustre,  rounded  features,  and  a  voice  which 
was  soft  and  melodious,  and  as  he  compared  her 
with  the  ideal  which  he  had  formed  in  his  imagi- 
nation, he  realized  that  she  was  much  the  superior 
of  his  most  exalted  conception  ;  in  fact,  that  she 
was  truly  the  most  desirable  and  accomplished  wo- 
man whom  he  had  ever  met. 

So  profoundly  did  Robert  lose  himself  in  admira- 
tion that  he  actually  forgot  to  continue  the  conversa- 
tion with  Mr.  Moulton. 

Then  the  blighting  thought  struck  him  that  she 
might  be  affianced  to  another,  and  he  realized  if 
such  should  be  the  case,  his  acquired  wealth  would 
be  of  little  use  to  him,  for  it  was  her  bright  form 
which  had  been  the  light  of  his  life  for  many  years, 
some  of  them  containing  so  many  hardships  and  so 


J20  THE      SINBAD      MINES: 

much  suffering  that,  had  it  not  been  for  the  recol- 
lection of  her  and  the  anticipation  of  a  bright  future, 
which  were  strengthened  by  the  presence  of  a  well- 
worn  Bible,  he  would  never  have  tried  to  overcome 
or  endure  them. 

While  Robert  was  thus  engaged  in  meditation, 
Mr.  Moulton  asked  him  from  what  part  of  the  coun- 
try he  had  come;  to  which  Robert  replied,  "From 
Colorado."  This  was  repeated  by  Mr.  Moulton  very 
slowly,  when  Alice  asked  her  father  if  that  was  not 
where  they  had  last  heard  from  Robert.  He  replied 
that  it  was,  and  turning  to  Robert,  inquired  if  he 
was  much  acquainted  in  the  mining  camps  of  his 
own  state.  Robert  replied  that  he  was,  and  that 
mining  was  the  business  which  he  had  been  follow- 
ing for  several  years. 

Mr.  Moulton  went  on  to  explain  that  they  had 
known  a  boy  who  had  worked  for  them  several 
years  before,  but  who  went  to  California,  and  that 
the  last  they  had  heard  from  him  was  from  a  mining 
town  in  Colorado ;  that  they  had  frequently  written 
to  him,  but  had  received  no  reply ;  that  they  had  felt 
a  good  deal  of  interest  in  him,  as  he  seemed  to  be  a 
bright  lad  who  had  been  illy  treated  by  his  father. 

Robert  inquired  if  he  thought  he  would  recognize 
the  lad  if  he  should  meet  him.  Mr.  Moulton  an-* 
swered  that  he  thought  he  would,  but  that  of  course 
he  must  have  changed  a  great  deal,  and  that  it 
might  be  possible  he  would  not.  Alice  answered  her 
father  that  she  would  know  him  anywhere;  that 
she  believed  he  had  grown  to  be  a  noble  and  good 
man. 

Whereupon  Robert  drew  from  his  pocket  a  small 
package,  and  handing  it  to  her,  asked  if  she  remem- 


A     TALE     OF     THE     ROCKIES  121 

bered  having  seen  it  before.  Unrolling  the  parcel, 
there  dropped  from  the  covering  a  little  Bible.  With 
an  exclamation  of  surprise  Alice  handed  it  to  her 
mother  with  the  assertion  that  it  was  the  Bible  she 
had  given  to  Robert.  Then  turning  to  her  visitor, 
she  extended  her  hand  and  exclaimed : 

"Why,  Robert    How  did  you  come  here?" 

With  the  greatest  of  difficulty  Robert  restrained 
himself  from  embracing  her,  so  great  was  his  emo- 
tion, but  he  finally  answered  that  he  had  come  all  the 
way  from  the  great  West  with  the  single  purpose  of 
finding  his  benefactor  and  his  beautiful  daughter, 
the  little  girl  to  whom  he  used  to  tell  stories  while  act- 
ing as  porter  on  the  emigrant  train  in  the  long-ago. 
Then  he  recited  to  them  the  many  unsuccessful  at- 
tempts which  he  had  made  to  find  them  and  the  res- 
olutions he  had  formed  the  night  before  after  see- 
ing them  in  "Kroll's  Garden." 

Alice  inquired  if  he  could  really  have  been  so  un- 
kind as  to  thus  leave  them  without  their  knowledge, 
after  all  they  had  done  for  him,  adding  that  if  he 
thought  so  little  of  them  as  that  she  would  not  re- 
turn the  keepsake  at  all.  Robert  replied  that  he  had 
no  reason  to  think  that  she  would  care  to  see  him, 
and  that  he  was  afraid  it  might  make  them  both  un- 
happy to  meet,  as  he  had  thought  of  her,  he  sup- 
posed, a  great  deal  more  than  she  was  aware  of,  as 
the  Bible  would  show  by  the  well  worn  finger-marks. 
Robert  was  sure  by  the  flush  which  passed  over 
Alice's  face  that  she  had  also  thought  of  him,  and 
that  he  had  not  made  the  long  journey  without  hope 
of  reward. 

Mr.  Moulton  was  so  affected  by  the  meeting  with 
his  young  friend  that  he  was  unable  to  hide  his  feel- 


122  THE      SINBAD      MINES: 

ings,  and  stepping  to  his  side,  assured  him  in  a 
trembling  voice  that  this  was  the  happiest  day  of 
many  years  to  him,  and  that  he  sincerely  hoped  the 
little  assistance  which  he  had  rendered  him  had  been 
the  means  of  doing  him  as  much  good  as  it  had  him- 
self, adding  a  pressing  invitation  to  Robert  to  ac- 
company them  on  their  tour. 

Robert  assured  him  of  his  willingness  to  accept 
the  offer,  and  after  a  pleasant  afternoon  spent  with 
his  late  friends,  he  returned  to  his  apartments,  ac- 
companied by  Charles  Moulton,  Alice's  brother, 
some  sixteen  years  of  age,  who  was  to  assist  him 
in  packing  his  effects. 

Ordering  a  "gepackmann,"  they  were  soon  on 
their  way  to  the  pension  for  his  belongings,  as  Rob- 
ert was  to  become  one  of  the  Moulton  party.  In 
the  evening  Robert  proposed  that  they  all  attend  the 
play  which  was  to  be  given  in  the  "Circus  Rentz." 
Mr.  Moulton  excused  himself  on  the  plea  that  his 
wife  was  not  able  to  be  out  evenings,  and  that  he  did 
not  wish  to  leave  her  alone,  but  that  he  presumed 
Alice  and  the  children  would  accompany  him,  which 
she  blushingly  admitted,  adding  that  her  brother 
and  sister  were  always  happy  when  they  were  to  be 
taken  out,  as  Charles  and  Made  were  very  much 
interested  in  the  play,  which  was  a  representation  of 
the  fall  of  Babylon,  exciting  in  the  extreme,  and  giv- 
ing an  opportunity  for  the  use  of  a  great  amount  of 
pyrotechnics. 

This  gave  Robert  the  opportunity  of  spending  the 
evening  practically  alone  with  Miss  Alice.  Although 
he  could  give  but  a  meager  description  of  the  play 
the  following  morning,  he  assured  the  elder  Moul- 
tons  that  he  had  enjoyed  the  evening  very  much] 


A      TALE     OF     THE     ROCKIES  123 

Whereupon  Matie  volunteered  the  information  that 
she  was  afraid  he  had  not  liked  it,  as  she  had  noticed 
him  several  times,  and  he  seemed  to  be  thinking  of 
something  else  all  the  time,  adding  that  she  supposed 
he  was  very  tired,  and  that  he  had  seen  so  many 
plays  that  he  did  not  care  for  them  any  more. 

Robert  blushingly  answered  that  he  was  some- 
what tired,  but  that  the  play  was  a  very  nice  one. 
While  at  the  opera  Robert  told  Alice  the  purpose  of 
his  journey ;  that  he  had  taken  her  at  her  word  when 
she  gave  him  the  token,  and  asked  if -he  was  to  be 
permitted  to  continue  to  think  of  her  now  that  she 
had  retained  the  gift.  Alice,  although  she  did  hot 
answer  directly,  said  she  was  in  hopes  their  friend- 
ship might  continue;  that  she  had  often  thought  of 
him  and  desired  to  see  him  again,  and  that  she  was 
very  happy  to  have  the  pleasure  of  his  company,  as 
it  would  very  much  add  to  her  enjoyment. 

It  was  planned  that  their  first  move  should  be  to 
Dresden,  where  they  would  establish  headquarters 
and  make  short  journeys  to  surrounding  places  of 
interest,  most  important  of  which  was  to  be  Oberam- 
mergau,  where  they  were  to  witness  the  renowned 
Passion  Play.  Robert  was  invited  to  take  the  po- 
sition of  manager  of  the  expedition,  which  he  was 
glad  to  do,  as  it  gave  him  an  opportunity  of  becom- 
ing familiar  with  the  manner  of  doing  business  in 
that  country,  and  of  becoming  acquainted  with  their 
customs. 

At  Dresden  he  secured  suitable  rooms  at  the  hotel 
"Stadt  de  Rome,"  situated  in  the  most  central  part 
of  the  "Alt  Stadt,"  or  oldest  part  of  the  city,  located 
but  a  short  distance  from  the  Art  Gallery  and  many 
of  the  most  fashionable  boulevards.  Charles  was 


124  THE      SINBAD      MINES: 

his  most  constant  companion,  and  seemed  intensely 
interested  in  all  of  the  business  affairs  as  well  as  the 
pleasure  excursions,  while  the  younger  sister, 
Matie,  was  allowed  the  privilege  of  occupying  much 
of  Robert's  time  during  the  evening,  listening  to 
stories  of  Western  life  and  adventure. 

Dresden  they  found  to  be  one  of  the  finest  cities 
in  the  empire,  both  in  respect  to  its  architecture, 
the  beautiful  appearance  of  the  shop  windows,  and 
the  magnificence  of  its  gardens  and  wonderful  art 
galleries,  many  of  which  they  frequently  visited.  A 
day  was  also  spent  among  the  china  factories,  where 
thousands  of  the  most  beautiful  sets  of  that  highly 
prized  ware  were  to  be  seen,  of  which  Robert  se- 
cured a  complete  pattern,  having  them  shipped  direct 
to  New  York  to  await  his  arrival. 

Many  of  the  churches  of  the  city  were  of  interest 
to  them,  especially  so  the  one  nearly  opposite  their 
hotel,  built  in  honor  of  Martin  Luther's  wife,  and 
called  the  "Frauenkirke,"  which  is  composed  entirely 
of  stone,  even  the  roof  being  formed  of  that  material. 

Following  up  their  original  intention,  they  secured 
tickets  for  the  quaint  old  town  of  Oberammergau, 
a  part  of  their  journey  being  made  by  diligence,  as 
the  railroad  is  not  allowed  to  enter  that  sacred  town ; 
at  least  this  was  the  reason  given,  but  Robert  was 
of  the  opinion  that  it  would  be  very  difficult  to  con- 
struct a  railroad  over  the  route,  and  simply  impos- 
sible to  move  trains  along  it  when  it  was  constructed, 
on  account  of  the  grade. 

If  it  had  been  impossible  for  them  to  have  reached 
the  town  at  all  it  would  have  suited  him  quite  as 
well,  as  he  really  dreaded  to  witness  the  play,  as 
it  seemed  to  him,  who  had  been  brought  up  in  the 


A     TALE     OF     THE     ROCKIES  12$ 

firm  faith  of  the  Christian  religion,  that  it  must  be 
worse  than  sacrilegious,  and  he  had  a  mind  to  ask 
the  Moultons  to  excuse  him  from  witnessing  it ;  but 
when  the  diligence  came  to  a  stop  in  the  little  Ger- 
man town,  and  they  were  pleasantly  received  at  the 
home  of  John  the  Baptist,  where  they  were  to  share 
the  hospitality  of  that  sacred  character,  and  he  saw 
the  extreme  simplicity  of  the  peasants  who  were 
among  the  most  important  players,  and  their  rever- 
ence for  the  work  they  were  engaged  in,  Robert 
began  to  think  he  must  have  misjudged  them  as 
well  as  their  motives,  for  they  indeed  appeared  to 
live  the  lives  of  those  whom  they  represented. 

Their  hostess,  who  represented  John  the  Baptist, 
was  a  young  woman  about  twenty-two  years  of  age, 
and  it  seemed  to  the  Moultons  that  there  was  little 
need  of  "make-up"  for  her  to  represent  that  charac- 
ter, except  to  dress  in  the  ancient  garb  of  Galilee, 
as  she  was  the  personification  of  a  lovable  disposi- 
tion, naturally  meek  and  unassuming. 

The  morning  of  the  rehearsal  dawned  dark  and 
gloomy,  but  by  eleven  o'clock  the  clouds  cleared 
away,  the  sun  shone  out,  and  nature  put  on  her  most 
pleasant  smile.  The  play  was  out-of-doors,  only  the 
seats  being  covered,  and  though  it  lasted  from  ten 
o'clock  in  the  forenoon  to  near  sundown,  with  but 
a  short  intermission  for  lunch,  which  the  people  had 
brought  with  them  for  fear  of  losing  their  seats  if 
they  retired,  the  time  passed  very  quickly.  Indeed, 
it  did  not  seem  possible  that  a  whole  day  could  have 
passed  in  apparently  so  short  a  time. 

But  so  true  to  life  were  the  characters  represented 
that  one  forgot  he  was  living  in  the  nineteenth  cen- 
tury, instead  of  witnessing  the  portrayal  of  a  tragedy 


126  THE      SINBAD      MINES: 

which  took  place  nearly  two  thousand  years  ago,  by 
the  order  of  Pontius  Pilate, — a  tragedy  the  most 
awful  which  had  ever  been  enacted.  Just  as  Christ 
was  being  nailed  to  the  cross  a  dark  cloud  over- 
shadowed the  sun,  and  a  few  drops  of  rain  descended 
from  the  heavens,  as  though  all  nature  were  affected 
by  the  solemnity  of  the  scene.  It  seemed  utterly  im- 
possible, so  true  to  life  were  all  the  scenes,  that  any- 
thing less  than  a  murder  could  have  been  committed, 
and  that  right  before  their  eyes.  And  Robert  was 
not  surprised  that  at  the  close,  and  when  they  were 
returning  to  their  stopping  place,  Matie  looked 
up  into  her  mother's  face  and  asked  if  that  was  the 
same  Christ  of  which  she  had  read  from  her  Bible 
at  home,  adding  that  if  it  was  they  all  must  be  ter- 
rible people  to  sit  there  and  allow  that  good  man  to 
be  crucified  in  that  terrible  manner.  She  also 
wanted  to  know  if  he  could  arise  again  from  the 
dead.  Her  mother  tried  to  answer  the  questions  as 
best  she  could,  but  did  not  succeed  in  convincing  the 
little  miss  that  they  had  done  right  in  allowing  the 
performance  to  go  on. 

All  actors  who  are  ever  to  take  part  in  this  play, 
which  is  repeated  every  five  years,  are  dedicated  to 
the  service  by  their  parents  when  they  are  quite 
young,  and  they  seem  to  live  only  to  that  end.  After 
representing  one  character  and  becoming  too  old  for 
it,  they  are  passed  on  to  another,  so  that  their  entire 
lives  and  energies  are  concentrated  in  rendering  dif- 
ferent parts  of  this  play.  As  Robert  left  the  place, 
instead  of  regarding  it  as  sacrilegious,  he  felt  that 
it  was  one  of  the  most  impressive  and  sacred  scenes 
which  he  had  ever  witnessed,  and  one  that  must 
have  a  marked  tendency  to  impress  upon  the  minds 


A      TALE     OF     THE     ROCKIES  127 

of  all  beholders  the  truth  of  the  Sacred  Word,  and 
that  Jesus  Christ  was  the  Son  of  God. 

From  here  they  go  to  Frankfort  on  their  way  to 
Switzerland.  A  short  day's  ride  and  their  train 
comes  to  a  stop  in  the  great  central  station  in  the 
city  of  Frankfort,  which  enjoys  the  distinction  of 
being  a  free  city,  the  seat  of  a  great  university,  and 
the  birth-place  of  the  renowned  historian  and  poet, 
Goethe,  whose  former  home  was  visited  by  the  tour- 
ists ;  also  the  university,  which  is  the  most  extensive 
and  scholarly  institution  in  the  empire.  A  drive 
through  the  broad  streets  of  the  city  and  an  after- 
noon spent  in  the  "Palm  Gartens,"  which  are  the 
most  elaborate  of  any  in  the  world  situated  so  far 
north,  and  they  are  again  on  the  road  with  tickets 
for  the  old,  walled  city  of  Strasburg,  with  a  stop- 
over at  Monheim,  which  is  also  located  near  the 
Rhine. 

As  they  proceed  south,  the  products  of  the  coun- 
try rapidly  change  from  artichokes  and  tobacco  to 
grapes,  which  are  raised  in  such  quantities  that  for 
many  hours  before  they  reach  their  destination  there 
is  little  to  be  seen  except  vineyards  of  these  wine- 
producing  berries.  Their  attention  is  so  completely 
absorbed  by  the  beauty  of  the  scenery  that  they  are 
unaware  of  the  flight  of  time  until  their  apartments 
are  thrown  open  and  the  guard  shouts  "Strasburg !" 

They  hurry  out,  where  their  luggage  is  grasped 
by  several  porters,  who  quarrel  over  its  possession, . 
but  a  few  "marks"  quiet  them,  and  the  party  reach 
their  hotel,  which  stands  in  a  great  court  surrounded 
by  linden  trees,  in  safety,  and  partake  of  their  first 
meal  in  the  strongest  fortified  city  of  Germany.  And 
although  it  belonged  to  France  for  many  years,  it 


128  THE      SINBAD      MINES: 

is  to-day  as  markedly  German  as  is  Berlin  itself,  and 
from  the  enormous  amount  of  fortifications  which 
have  been  added  since  the  Franco-Prussian  war,  it 
is  evident  to  the  traveler  that  it  will  remain  a  Ger- 
man city  for  the  next  hundred  years  at  least. 

Strasburg,  the  capital  of  Alsace  and  Lorraine,  is 
the  proud  possessor  of  the  wonderful  cathedral,  with 
its  astronomical  clock,  the  wonder  of  all  who  behold 
it,  and  a  monument  to  its  inventor,  who  was  con- 
demned to  the  loss  of  both  eyes  by  the  tyrant  for 
whom  it  was  constructed.  Just  before  the  execution 
of  this  terrible  sentence  the  inventor  was  allowed  to 
visit  it,  after  which  it  soon  stopped,  and  although 
the  greatest  experts  of  both  France  and  Germany 
were  employed  to  repair  it,  it  was  found  impossible 
to  do  so,  or  to  even  start  it.  Finally,  many  years 
after,  the  obstacle  was  found  and  removed,  when 
its  wonderful  machinery  was  again  set  in  motion. 

After  a  good  night's  rest  the  whole  family  was 
seated  in  a  comfortable  carriage,  and  Robert,  taking 
his  seat  with  the  driver,  undertook  to  point  out  to 
them  the  many  objects  of  interest  as  he  remembered 
them  from  his  mother's  description,  listened  to  many 
years  before  when  he  was  a  small  child.  Especially 
did  he  remember  the  story  of  the  storks,  and  how 
they  built  their  nests  on  the  top  of  the  great  chimney 
flues. 

Hardly  had  he  finished  the  recital  when,  far  up  on 
top  of  a  towering  chimney,  which  rose  above  the 
gables  of  an  old  house  near  the  cathedral,  there 
perched  a  pair  of  those  ungainly  birds,  and  beside 
them  was  their  nest,  composed  of  coarse  branches 
of  trees  fastened  together  with  bits  of  twine  and 
grass.  This  seemed  to  be  a  very  appropriate  place 


A     TALE     OF     THE     ROCKIES  I2Q 

for  them  to  nest,  as  they  are  regarded  throughout 
Germany,  and  in  fact  all  over  the  continent,  as  being 
little  less  than  sacred. 

After  entering  the  portals  of  the  great  cathedral, 
which  is  composed  of  red  sandstone,  they  were  con- 
ducted by  their  guide  to  the  high  altar,  where  mass 
was  being  said.  Moving  a  little  around  to  the  right 
nave,  the  oldest  part  of  the  edifice,  they  came  in 
full  view  of  the  clock,  which  is  at  the  point  of  strik- 
ing the  hour.  The  machinery  begins  to  whir-r-r-r-r, 
a  small  door  about  half  way  up  the  side  opens,  and 
the  apostles  march  out  in  a  semi-circle  before  Christ, 
who  is  seated  on  a  throne  in  the  center  of  the  plat- 
form. 

All  of  the  apostles  except  Judas  turn  and  salute 
their  master,  who  recognizes  them,  whereupon  they 
turn  to  the  left  and  disappear  through  a  door.  Judas, 
after  having  been  beckoned  by  the  devil,  who  ap- 
pears on  the  balcony  above,  nods  his  head  in  sub- 
mission to  his  satanic  majesty,  gives  his  master  a 
sardonic  grin,  and  hastens  on  with  the  disappearing 
apostles.  A  rooster  on  the  adjoining  tower  flaps 
his  wings  and  crows  lustily;  a  bell  strikes  the  hour, 
the  door  closes  and  the  devil  disappears,  chuckling 
to  himself  over  his  conquest. 

At  the  base  of  the  clock  are  several  dials  which 
show  the  time  of  day,  day  of  the  week,  day  of  the 
month,  the  day  of  the  year,  the  condition  of  the 
tides,  phases  of  the  moon,  and  many  other  astrono- 
mical data.  This  cathedral,  like  many  others,  is 
built  in  the  form  of  a  cross,  and  it  is  embellished 
with  some  of  the  most  wonderful  carvings  known, 
representing  hundreds  of  saints  and  many  mytholog- 
ical beings. 


I<»O  THE      SINBAD      MINES: 

823  •- .- 

All  except  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Moulton  ascend  the  bel- 
fry tower  and  look  down  upon  the  beautiful  land- 
scape covered  with  vines,  and  threaded  by  the  his- 
toric Rhine,  which  is  here  spanned  by  two  immense 
bridges.  The  railroad  bridge  is  constructed  of  tu- 
bular steel,  the  trusses  of  which  are  charged  with 
dynamite,  so  that  in  case  of  war  with  France  it 
may  be  instantly  blown  to  atoms.  The  wagon  bridge 
is  a  pontoon  chained  together  and  locked  to  the 
pier.  These  may  be  readily  set  adrift,  when  they 
would  float  away,  destroying  all  communication 
with  the  opposite  bank. 

A  visit  to  the  old  fortifications  occupies  another 
day.  They  are  found  to  be  the  most  extensive  and 
impenetrable  by  far  of  any  which  they  have  seen. 
They  consist  of  four  rows  of  breastworks  and  three 
moats,  or  canals,  in  addition  to  the  old  city  walls, 
which  are  very  thick  and  high.  These,  as  well  as 
the  redoubts,  are  literally  covered  with  huge  cannon. 

The  Kaiser  seems  to  be  very  proud  of  this  city, 
as  he  maintains  a  large  garrison  of  soldiers  in  its 
barracks  all  of  the  time.  He  is  also  building  a  royal 
palace  here,  which  he  will  visit  several  times  a  year. 
The  streets  are  full  of  soldiers  from  morning  until 
night.  The  sound  of  martial  music  and  the  rattle 
of  musketry  is  so  continuous  that  one  soon  becomes 
accustomed  to  it. 

Robert  and  Alice  were  fond  of  rising  early  in  the 
morning  and  visiting  the  markets,  where  they  could 
study  the  customs  of  the  people  as  well  as  admire 
their  picturesque  costumes.  The  characteristic  dress 
of  the  peasant  girls,  who  were  attired  in  the  bright- 
est of  colors,  while  the  dark  and  lusterless  shades 
of  the  farmer's  frocks  and  pantaloons,  composed 


A      TALE     OF     THE     ROCKIES  13! 

entirely  of  the  coarsest  home-spun  linen,  filled  up  the 
background  of  a  picture  which  was  fascinating  in 
the  extreme. 

The  strangest  of  vehicles  might  be  seen  drawn  by 
the  strangest  combinations  of  teams.  Sometimes  it 
consisted  of  a  pair  of  dogs,  at  another  time  a  yoke  of 
steers,  while  it  was  not  infrequent  to  see  an  assort- 
ment of  these  animals  hitched  together.  Occasion- 
ally a  heavy  cart  would  trundle  along  through  the 
market  drawn  by  an  old  woman  assisted  by  a 
scrawny-looking  cur  hitched  to  the  axle  under  the 
load.  On  several  occasions  they  were  almost  hor- 
rified to  see  a  haggard-looking  old  crone  harnessed 
up  with  a  dog  or  cow,  as  the  fancy  or  ability  of  the 
owner  might  dictate. 

Of  course  these  sights  were  the  exception  in  the 
cities,  but  it  was  not  at  all  uncommon  in  the  country 
to  see  a  cow  and  a  woman  dragging  at  a  plow  while 
a  second  woman  manipulated  the  handles.  Flowers 
were  to  be  seen  everywhere,  and  they  were  bought 
by  even  the  poorest,  who  spent  the  larger  half  of 
the  sum  allowed  for  their  day's  expenses  in  the  grati- 
fication of  their  desire  for  them. 

The  journey  up  the  Rhine  was  a  most  delightful 
one,  and  the  natural  pictures  presented  to  the  eye 
extremely  varied.  Small  villages,  of  perhaps  a  hun- 
dred houses,  with  their  red-tiled  roofs  glimmering  in 
the  sun,  and  distant  castles  perched  on  the  top  of 
rugged  cliffs,  represented  the  dwelling  places  of  the 
two  classes  of  people;  the  farmers  living  in  the  vil- 
lages and  tilling  the  lands  surrounding  them,  pay- 
ing taxes  to  the  lords  who  reside  in  the  castles,  and 
never  dreaming  that  their  lot  is  a  hard  one,  or  that 
they  are  oppressed. 


132  THE      SINBAD      MINES: 

As  the  train  nears  the  manufacturing  town  of 
Basle  the  snow-clad  Alps  rear  their  hoary  heads  in 
the  distance,  apprising  them  that  they  are  approach- 
ing the  home  of  good  Saint  Nicholas,  and  the  land 
of  William  Tell. 

The  city  of  Basle  contains  about  seventy-five 
thousand  people,  and  is  the  most  American-looking 
of  any  they  have  seen.  Here  are  enormous  factories 
where  thousands  of  girls  are  employed,  who  weave 
the  greater  part  of  the  beautiful  ribbons  which  sup- 
ply the  markets  of  the  world. 

The  hotel  at  which  they  stopped  was  kept  by  an 
American,  on  the  American  plan,  and  it  seemed  to 
the  travelers  as  though  they  had  suddenly  returned 
to  their  own  land.  And  when  Robert,  wishing  to 
secure  accommodations  at  Lucerne,  was  directed  to 
the  office  where  his  message  was  transmitted  by  an 
American  Bell  telephone,  the  impression  was  all  the 
more  real. 

This  place  deserves  a  longer  stop-over  than  is 
generally  given  it,  as  it  is  a  most  beautiful  Swiss 
city,  and  that  is  equivalent  to  saying  that  it  is  a 
most  delightful  place  to  spend  a  couple  of  weeks, 
instead  of  as  many  days.  However,  the  Moultons 
were  obliged  to  leave,  as  they  had  engagements 
ahead. 

Again  boarding  the  cars,  they  proceeded  on  their 
way.  As  they  ascended  the  valley  it  gradually  be- 
came narrower,  until  the  train  entered  a  deep  canon 
walled  in  on  the  west,  while  the  rushing  Ruse  roars 
and  frets  on  the  opposite  side.  As  their  train 
rounded  a  sharp  curve  the  limpid  water  was  seen 
dashing  over  the  rugged  rocks,  scattering  myriads 
of  sparkling  diamonds  in  the  sunlight,  and  sending 


A     TALE     OF     THE     ROCKIES  133 

forth  a  dreamy  murmur  which  lulled  them  to  sleep 
and  imparted  to  their  overstrained  nervous  systems 
a  feeling  of  quiet  and  repose  which  would  have  al- 
lowed them  to  dream  on  for  hours  had  not  their 
train  suddenly  come  to  a  stop,  rudely  awakening 
them  to  inquire  as  to  its  meaning. 

Robert  was  informed  that  the  stop  was  in  defer- 
ence to  the  law  which  compels  all  trains  entering 
a  walled  city  to  come  to  a  full  stop  just  outside  the 
gates,  and  although  a  greater  portion  of  the  fortifi- 
cations of  the  city  of  Lucerne  have  long  ago 
crumbled  away,  the  law  is  still  in  force  and  its  ob- 
servance maintained.  The  train  slowly  moves  along 
and  they  alight  at  the  platform  of  the  depot  of  the 
capital  of  that  canton.  The  party  is  at  once  recog- 
nized by  the  "cabby"  who  has  been  sent  for  them, 
and  they  are  rapidly  driven  to  the  Hotel  Des  Bal- 
lances,  situated  in  a  picturesque  position  on  the  bank 
of  that  most  beautiful  lake,  Lucerne,  where,  after  a 
hasty  toilet,  they  do  ample  justice  to  the  sumptuous, 
"table  d'hote,"  which  is  served  while  they  gaze  out 
upon  the  glittering  waters  and  watch  the  movements 
of  hundreds  of  sporting  water-fowls  which  are 
silently  gliding  about  over  its  glassy  surface. 

In  the  dim  distance  towers  the  grand  old  glaciers 
of  Uri  and  Engleberg,  while  overhead  is  arched  the 
azure  blue  of  a  perfect  Swiss  sky.  Far  toward  the 
East,  arising  apparently  from  the  surface  of  the  lake, 
is  seen  the  most  populous  mountain  in  the  known 
world,  Mount  Rega,  dotted  with  its  great  hotels, 
the  outline  of  which  may  be  dimly  made  out  by  the 
aid  of  glasses.  These  hotels  may  be  reached  by 
means  of  the  "Rega  Bon,"  while  to  the  west  stands 
the  legendary  cone  of  Mount  Pilatus,  where  it  is 


134  THE      SINBAD      MINES: 

said  that  Pontius  Pilate  went  and  drowned  himself 
after  delivering  Christ  to  be  crucified. 

MOUNT  PILATUS 

Where   lake   Lucerne   reflects   the   crags 

That  far  above  it  rise, 
And  hoary  summits  tower  aloft 

As  though  to  pierce  the  skies, 
Stands  Mount  Pilatus,  grim  and  bare, 

Once  wet  with  bitter  tears 
By  him  who  sold  his  Master's  life 

Because  of  selfish  fears. 

Far  up  its  rugged,  barren  side 

Did   Pilate  wend  his  way 
To  leave  behind  his  load  of  sin 

And  find  a  place  to  pray. 
His  soul  was  loaded  down  with  guilt; 

It  bore  the  crimson  stain 
Of  Him  who  died  upon  the  cross 

In  agonizing  pain ! 

Like  many  another  guilty  soul, 

In  vain  he  tried  to  plead 
That  he  was  innocent  of  crime ; — 

But  still  he  on   did   speed. 
He  oft  repeated  to  himself 

That  he  had  washed  his  hands, 
But  yet  his  weary  feet  kept  on 

Through  strange  and  rugged  lands. 

Till,  like  the  weary,  "wandering  Jew," 

He  sought  and  prayed  for  death, 
Then   cursed  the  power  that   drove  him  on, 

And   hissed    beneath    his    breath  : 
"  'Twas  they  who  did  the  bloody  deed, 

And  now  in  quiet  rest, 
While    I    am    driven    to   despair 

By  demons  in  my  breast !" 

Through  night  and  day  he  hurries  on, — 

A  lake  he  finally  spies, 
That  seems  to  rest  upon  the  earth, 

Though  near  the  azure  skies, 


A      TALE     OF      THE     ROCKIES  135 

He  stands  a  moment  on  its  brink, 

Then  boldly  plunges  in 
To  free  his  soul  from  guilty  flesh, 

And  thus  atone  for  sin! 

The  lake  reflects  the  morning  sun, — 

The  soft  breeze  whispers  by, 
And  drives  the  waves  across  its  breast. 

But  not  one  kindly  sigh 
Is  ever  heard  for  him  who  rests 

Beneath  the  crystal  wave, 
Who   died  the  death  he  well  had  earned, 

To  selfishness  a  slave. 


136  THE      SINBAD      MINES 


CHAPTER    VI 

HE  city  of  Lucerne  contains  about  twenty 
thousand  inhabitants.  It  is  about  four 
thousand  feet  above  the  sea.  level,  and 
has  the  further  distinction  of  being  one 
of  the  three  capitals  of  the  Swiss  nation. 
Among  its  many  attractions  are  its  numerous  hotels, 
exceeding  in  size  and  elaborate  furnishings  anything 
they  had  ever  seen,  a  fine  opera  house  and  several 
historical  bridges,  one  of  which  is  known  as  the 
"Kappelbrucke,"  contains  many  fine  scenes  from 
Swiss  history,  while  a  quarter  of  a  mile  down  the 
river  is  the  "Mulebruke,"  upon  the  inside  of  which 
is  painted  scenes  from  the  "Dance  of  Death." 

Near  the  quay  is  the  "Hofkirke,"  with  its  tall 
spires,  built  in  1506,  the  first  church  erected  upon  its 
site  having  been  completed  A.  D.  65.  The  exterior 
of  the  church  is  decorated  with  many  fine  pieces  of 
sculpture,  and  it  contains  the  best  organ  in  all 
Europe. 

A  short  distance  to  the  left  of  the  church  may  be 
seen  the  most  interesting  object,  to  the  Swiss  at 
least — The  Lion  of  Lucerne.  This  celebrated  mon- 
ument is  cut  in  high  relief  in  the  face  of  a  perpen- 
dicular rock  of  dark-grey  sandstone.  It  is  twenty- 
eight  by  eighteen  feet  in  size,  and  represents  a  lion 
in  the  agonies  of  death.  A  broken  lance  pierces  his 
side,  while  his  paws  are  resting  on  the  Bourbon 


A     TALE     OF     THE     ROCKIES  137 

coat-of-arms,  showing  that  even  in  death  he  is  true 
to  his  trust. 

This  monument  is  intended  to  commorate  the 
fidelity  of  the  Swiss  guards,  twenty-six  officers  and 
seven  hundred  soldiers  who  fell  fighting  in  defense 
of  the  royal  family  of  France  against  the  attack  of 
the  revolutionists  in  1792.  It  was  moulded  by 
Thorsdwalden,  and  is  equal  to  anything  of  its  kind 
in  any  land.  Above  it  is  inscribed,  "Helvetiorum 
Fideli  et  Virtuiti,"  and  below  the  names  of  the  dif- 
ferent officers  who  fell.  Nearby  stands  a  chapel  ded- 
icated to  the  slain  soldiers,  bearing  the  inscription, 
"In  Victus  Pax,"  the  sentiment  of  which  is  certainly 
subscribed  to  by  all  who  recall  the  bloody  and  brave 
battle. 

One  bright  morning  Mr.  Moulton  ordered  a  car- 
riage and  took  the  whole  family  for  a  drive  in  the 
country.  The  weather  was  fine  and  the  road  led 
them  among  prosperous  homes  surrounded  by  well 
tilled  farms,  which  furnished  the  city  with  vege- 
tables of  many  varieties  as  well  as  fruits,  the  greater 
part  of  which  consisted  of  pears,  apples  and  grapes. 
Honey  is  also  produced  in  abundance,  and  of  the  best 
quality,  being  much  more  bland  than  that  of  most 
countries.  It  matters  not  where  one  may  breakfast 
in  Switzerland,  he  is  sure  to  find  a  liberal  dish  of 
honey  near  his  plate,  of  which  he  may  eat  with 
impunity. 

As  they  rode  along  they  were  astonished  at  the 
crude  methods  employed  and  the  clumsy  utensils 
which  were  in  use,  some  of  them  unwieldly  in  the 
extreme,  everything  being  done  in  the  clumsiest 
way,  and  in  a  manner  which  would  require  the 
greatest  number  of  hands,  who  seemed  to  see  how 


138  THE      SINBAD      MINES: 

little  they  could  do  and  still  keep  moving.  The 
houses  are  of  one  story,  frequently  sheltering  not 
only  the  family,  but  the  domestic  animals  as  well. 
For  all  this,  however,  the  well  thatched  roofs  and 
air  of  comfort  and  happiness  which  pervaded  them, 
made  them  look  homelike  and  desirable  as  places 
of  abode. 

Every  little  nook  was  tilled  to  its  utmost  capacity ; 
the  steep  sides  of  the  foot-hills,  and  even  the  lower 
parts  of  the  great  mountains,  being  terraced  so  as 
to  make  it  possible  to  till  them.  The  hardier  va- 
rieties of  grapes,  occupying  the  lower  levels,  yield 
a  sufficient  remuneration  to  more  than  pay  for  their 
cultivation  in  Switzerland,  where  labor  commands 
but  little,  the  people  being  contented  with  the  plain- 
est of  clothes  and  food. 

The  next  excursion  was  to  Vitzneu,  and  it  is  the 
one  "par-excellence"  of  the  Alps.  The  journey  from 
the  city  was  made  on  a  fine  American  steamer  which 
makes  the  round  trip  every  day  during  the  season. 
The  view  of  the  lake  is  beautiful  in  the  extreme. 
On  the  right  bank  could  be  seen  a  curious  railroad 
extending  from  the  water's  edge  up  the  almost  per- 
pendicular cliff  of  rock  to  the  edge  of  a  gigantic 
glacier.  A  diminutive  engine,  with  its  precious  load 
of  human  freight,  could  be  made  out  slowly  crawl- 
ing up  the  grade,  puffing  and  panting  as  though  it 
realized  the  great  responsibility  with  which  it  was 
entrusted,  never  missing  a  stroke  or  slipping  a  cog; 
in  fact,  it  had  performed  this  incredible  task  for 
many  years  without  injury  to  a  single  person. 

As  the  steamer  winds  its  way  along  the  crooked 
lake  the  scenery  continually  changes,  producing  a 
panorama  of  dissolving  pictures  which  outrival  the 


A      TALE      OF      THE     ROCKIES  IJQ 

effect  of  the  most  complicated  kaleidoscope.  The 
tranquil  waters,  nearly  as  transparent  as  the  atmos- 
phere, reflect  the  jagged  outlines  of  the  towering 
Alps  and  tint  the  glistening  glaciers  with  the  most 
vivid  colors.  Innumerable  numbers  of  fine  fish  are 
to  be  seen  gliding  about  beneath  them,  while  wild 
ducks  of  several  varieties  are  lazily  floating  about 
so  near  at  hand  that  Matie  and  Charles  amuse  them- 
selves by  throwing  crumbs  to  them,  which  they 
greedily  devour.  As  they  approach  Vitzneu  they  are 
shown  the  rocks  where  Willian  Tell  jumped  from 
the  boat  and  escaped  from  the  hands  of  the  tyrant 
Gessler. 

Vitzneu  is  a  beautiful  little  hamlet,  situated  at  the 
foot  of  an  enormous  mountain  of  conglomerate 
formation,  which  looks  as  though  it  might  topple 
over  and  bury  the  little  town  at  its  feet  at  any  mo- 
ment. Here  they  picked  the  most  delicate  roses  and 
ate  delicious  figs — from  trees  which  remain  out-of- 
doors  the  entire  year — while  they  gazed  with  awe 
at  the  great  glaciers  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  lake, 
but  far  above  it,  the  ice  of  which  measures  from 
five  to  seven  hundred  feet  in  thickness ;  truly  a  won- 
derful sight! 

From  Vitzneu  the  railroad  extends  to  Rega  Culm, 
the  top  of  the  mountain.  The  car  is  pushed  up  the 
mountain  at  the  rate  of  eight  miles  per  hour  over  a 
maximum  grade  of  twenty-five  per  cent.  As  they 
leave  the  fig  gardens  and  ascend  the  mountain  the 
air  becomes  chilly,  and  by  the  time  the  top  is 
reached  the  heaviest  wraps  are  required  to  keep 
them  comfortable. 

This  was  an  experience  novel  to  the  Moultons, 
but  very  common  to  Robert,  who  explained  to  them 


140  THE      SINBAD      MINES: 

that  such  changes  were  every-day  occurrences  among 
the  Rockies  in  Colorado;  that  he  had  frequently 
eaten  his  breakfast  among  scenes  that  were  semi- 
tropical,  his  dinner  among  peaks  where  eternal  win- 
ter reigned,  to  descend  at  night  to  his  former  camp- 
ing ground, — all  this  change  with  meagre  clothing 
and  scanty  food.  Alice  remarked  that  no  one  ought 
to  expose  themselves  to  such  severe  changes,  and 
that  she  was  sorry  he  had  been  reckless  enough  to 
do  so.  To  which  Robert  answered  that  if  he  had 
at  all  times  considered  his  own  safety  he  probably 
never  would  have  returned  to  participate  in  the 
pleasures  of  the  present  trip  and  its  associations. 

Their  conversation  was  interrupted  at  this  point 
by  the  train  entering  a  dark  tunnel,  which  caused 
the  younger  members  of  the  party  to  nestle  closer 
to  their  protectors.  When  the  engine  emerged  it 
was  to  crawl  upon  a  trestle  which  spanned  a  chasm, 
and  which  Charles  declared  "hadn't  any  bottom!" 
Indeed,  so  deep  was  it  that  it  appeared  to  be  thous- 
ands of  feet  to  the  small  stream  which  trickled  along 
its  bed. 

As  they  proceeded  along  their  way  the  scene  be- 
low them  appeared  to  recede  as  the  field  of  vision 
was  enlarged,  so  that  it  took  in  a  greater  expanse  of 
country.  Beautiful  hamlets,  shining  lakes  and 
rivers,  glistening  glaciers  and  rugged  mountains 
were  spread  out  to  their  vision,  presenting  a  picture 
too  beautiful  to  describe  with  pen  or  pencil.  At  the 
first  stopping  place,  "Calt  Bad,"  they  were  met  by 
flower  girls  who  were  offering  for  sale  Alpine  roses. 
of  which  Alice  bought  a  supply  to  send  home  to  her 
friends. 

As  they  proceed  the  character  of  the  vegetation 


A      TALE     OF     THE     ROCKIES  14! 

changes.  The  pine  is  replaced  by  the  tamarack, 
which  finally  gives  way  to  the  aspen,  which  extends 
to  timber  line,  where  the  mosses  and  lichens  begin. 
These  gradually  become  dwarfed  as  they  ascend  the 
mountain,  until  they  find  themselves  above  all  vege- 
tation. 

Arriving  at  the  hotel,  they  prepare  for  a  hearty 
meal,  which  is  in  waiting  for  them,  and  which  is  a 
great  novelty  to  the  Moultons  on  account  of  its  being 
their  first  meal  above  the  clouds. 

After  dinner  they  climbed  to  the  observatory  and 
looked  out  upon  a  picture  which  many  travelers 
from  all  nations  make  pilgrimages  to  behold.  Far 
below  them,  and  a  little  to  the  left,  nestled  amid 
a  patch  of  green,  is  seen  the  Tell  Chapel,  beyond 
which  at  different  points  may  be  caught  a  glimpse 
of  the  Ruse  as  it  glides  by  well-thatched  cottages 
and  winds  through  laden  vineyards,  again  to  appear 
like  a  sparkling  thread  of  pure  silver,  uniting  the 
mountain  spring  with  the  mirror-like  lake.  To  the 
right  may  be  seen  the  peaks  of  the  Bernese  Alps, 
which  form  the  watershed  of  the  Rhine,  and  which 
extend  as  far  as  the  eye  can  reach  toward  the  east. 

Against  the  southern  sky,  in  majestic  files,  rise 
the  Brunen  Alps,  their  hoary  heads  covered  with  the 
frost  of  centuries,  while  their  feet  are  bathed  in  the 
sunny  smiles  of  an  Italian  climate!  Through  gaps 
in  the  great  ranges  may  be  seen  at  intervals  spark- 
ling sheets  of  emerald  water,  the  placid  surface  of 
which  reflects  the  sublime  pictures  which  tower 
above  them,  and  which  leave  off  at  the  water's  edge, 
where  the  picture  begins.  After  they  have  looked 
and  looked,  until  their  eyes  are  tired  and  their  in- 
telligence gorged  with  the  pleasure  of  the  scene, 


142  THE      SINBAD      MINES: 

they  return  to  the  hotel,  heartily  regretting  that  they 
spent  so  much  time  in  other  lands,  thereby  short- 
ening the  days  allowed  to  them  here. 

They  reach  the  depot  just  in  time  to  secure  com- 
fortable seats  in  the  diminutive  car  which  is  soon 
to  return  them  to  the  base  of  the  mountain.  The 
situation  is  not  wholly  enjoyable  as  they  are  let 
down  the  grade,  for  the  mind  is  kept  busy  guessing 
what  would  be  the  result  if  an  accident  should  occur 
to  the  train,  which  is  slowly  but  surely  retracing  its 
way.  The  more  timid,  however,  are  reassured  as 
they  pass  at  short  intervals  a  guard  who  stands  with 
his  hands  on  the  lever  of  a  safety  switch,  and  who 
salutes  them  as  they  pass  with  "Bon  Voyage!" 

Upon  reaching  the  quay  they  find  the  steamer  in 
waiting  for  them,  and  as  it  glides  out  into  the  lake 
under  the  mellow  rays  of  a  harvest  moon,  the  band 
strikes  up  the  very  appropriate  air  of  "Moonlight  on 
the  Lake,"  which  is  re-echoed  from  the  sombre  cliffs 
in  a  softened  and  melodious  tone,  producing  almost 
magical  effects. 

Their  route  from  Lucerne  to  Interlocken  is  by 
way  of  the  Bernese  Alps,  through  the  Saint  Goth- 
ard  tunnel,  by  the  road  which  occupies  for  a  part  of 
the  way  the  famous  "way"  built  by  Napoleon  during 
his  conquest  of  Spain.  Some  of  the  views  from  the 
carriage  windows  are  indeed  wonderful,  both  as  re- 
gard their  magnificence  of  scenery  and  on  account 
of  the  almost  impossible  feats  of  engineering  which 
have  been  accomplished.  Sometmes  the  train  rounds 
a  curve  on  an  imperceptible  shelf  which  overhangs  an 
abyss  that  is  well  nigh  bottomless;  at  another  time 
it  penetrates  the  heart  of  an  enormous  mountain 


A      TALE      OF      THE     ROCKIES  143 

whose  peak  towers  out  of  sight  in  everlasting 
winter. 

After  the  divide  is  passed  they  rapidly  descend 
into  the  beautiful  valley  of  the  Brunen  Alps,  glid- 
ing down  a  grade  which  is  following  a  rapid  moun- 
tain torrent  that  may  be  seen  fuming  and  fretting 
its  way  through  the  rocky  gorge,  finally  reaching 
the  valley  below,  which  is  partially  occupied  by  the 
flourishing  and  beautiful  city  of  Interlocken,  a  city 
made  famous  by  reason  of  its  being  the  stopping 
place  for  all  tourists  on  their  way  to  visit  the  "Jung- 
frau,"  the  maiden  of  the  Alps. 

After  a  day  of  eventful  sight-seeing,  the  party 
reach  their  hotel  and  are  soon  cozily  resting  under 
the  most  exquisite  and  downy  spreads,  anticipating 
the  morrow,  when  at  early  dawn  they  are  to  enjoy 
one  of  the  grandest  and  most  sublime  spectacles 
which  it  is  the  privilege  of  mortals  to  behold — the 
wonderful  avalanches  which  are  precipitated  from 
the  ice-clad  summit  of  the  grand  and  sublime  moun- 
tain— the  queen  of  the  Alps. 

Morning  has  come  and  they  are  in  the  most 
sightly  position.  Looking  up  toward  the  top  they 
see  projecting  from  its  crest  an  immense  field  of  ice, 
glittering  like  burnished  gold  in  the  rising  sun,  in 
itself  a  mountain  and  apparently  quite  close  to  them, 
but  which  they  know  to  be  thousands  of  feet  away, 
as  a  deep  ravine  separates  them  from  the  Jung- 
frau,  which  rises  in  an  abrupt  precipice  of  many 
thousand  feet,  somewhat  broken  in  terraces,  down 
which  the  avalanche  from  the  higher  beds  of  un- 
trodden snow  goes  plunging  and  thundering  into  the 
uninhabitable  abyss  below. 

Perhaps  there  is  not  another    mountain    in  all 


144  THE      SINE  AD      MINES: 

Switzerland  which  one  can  look  so  near  and  full  in 
the  face,  as  you  stand  on  the  edge  of  the  dark  ra- 
vine, out  of  which  it  rises  more  than  eleven  thous- 
and feet  perpendicularly,  and  down  which  vast 
avalanches  sweep  with  their  incredible  weight  of  ice 
and  snow  from  the  very  topmost  summit. 

Standing  far  below,  gazing  up  to  where  the  great 
disk  of  the  glittering  Alp  cuts  the  heavens,  drink- 
ing in  the  influence  of  the  silent  scene  around  them, 
suddenly  an  enormous  mass  of  ice  and  snow,  acres 
in  extent  and  hundreds  of  feet  in  thickness,  is  seen 
to  move.  It  breaks  from  the  tottering  ridge,  and 
in  its  first  fall  of  two  thousand  feet  is  broken  into 
millions  of  fragments.  A  dense  cloud  of  snow  rises 
in  the  air  from  the  concussion,  producing  a  white 
column  of  fleecy  smoke  which  gives  off  a  greyish 
light,  and  from  the  bosom  of  which  thunders  forth 
the  icy  torrent  in  its  second  prodigious  fall  over  the 
rocky  battlement. 

Plunging  through  the  path  which  preceding  aval- 
anches have  formed,  it  reaches  the  brink  of  a  bare 
ridge  of  rock,  perhaps  more  than  two  thousand  feet 
perpendicular,  then  pours  the  whole  cataract  over 
the  gulf  with  a  much  louder  concussion  of  re-echo- 
ing thunder,  to  which  nothing  but  the  roar  of  Niag- 
ara is  comparable  in  its  sublimity,  when  a  fall  to  a 
greater  depth  ensues,  from  which  the  torrent  rushes 
on  until  at  length  it  reaches  a  mighty  groove  of  ice 
and  snow,  which  have  been  driven  together  by  the 
tremendous  blows  until  it  is  almost  as  hard  as 
adamantine  rock.  Here  its  course  is  somewhat  re- 
tarded, but  it  finally  reaches  the  edge,  and  they 
listen  to  the  muffled  reverberations  of  the  falling 


A      TALE      OF      THE      ROCKIES  145 

fragments  as  they  plunge  out  of  sight  into  the  dark 
abyss  to  rest  forever. 

As  one  contemplates  the  awful  forces  which  are 
in  motion  here, — the  immovable  resistance  which 
it  overcomes,  rocks  rent  and  crushed  as  though  they 
were  egg  shells;  as  one  beholds  the  thousands  of 
feet  of  perpendicular  wall  towering  for  miles  toward 
the  heavens,  or  gazes  with  sickening  dread  into  the 
dark  abyss  which  yawns  at  his  feet,  whose  depths 
seem  fathomless,  he  asks  himself,  "What  is  man,  O 
Lord,  that  Thou  art  mindful  of  him,  or  the  children 
of  men,  that  Thou  carest  for  them  ?" 

Of  whatever  importance  he  has  previously  con- 
sidered himself,  in  the  presence  of  the  powers  which 
the  great  Creator  uses  in  the  machinery  of  the  uni- 
verse, he  sinks  away  into  nothingness  and  is  really 
alarmed  at  his  own  insignificance,  wondering  that 
he  has  ever  been  allowed  to  exist  at  all. 

Then  as  his  mind  reaches  on  from  the  works  of 
nature  to  their  Creator,  his  soul  rises  in  admiration 
of  Him  who  formed  the  mountains;  who  created  the 
universe;  the  Creator  of  all  good,  who  even  takes 
cognizance  of  the  sparrows  of  the  air,  that  not  one 
of  them  may  fall  without  His  notice;  to  Him  who 
created  man  "but  a  little  lower  than  the  angels," 
adopted  him  as  His  own  son,  and  gave  him  dominion 
and  possession  over  all  that  He  had  created,  until 
from  the  humble  and  dependent  position  to  which 
the  observer  is  forced,  he  is  raised  to  the  exalted 
heights  of  the  noblest  creation  of  his  Heavenly 
father,  but  with  the  knowledge  that  all  of  his  great- 
ness and  abilitv  is  given  him  by  "The  giver  of  every 
good  and  perfect  gift." 


146  THE      SINBAD      MINES: 

GOD  IS  GOOD 

All  the  world  is  full  of  beauty, 

Full  of  love  and  kindly  care; 
Full  of  hope  that  makes  our  trials 

Less  severe  and  hard  to  bear. 
Flowers  cast  their  balmy  fragrance 

Free,  upon  the  summer  air, 
While  the  glistening  frosts  of  winter 

Hold  the  rainbow's  color  there. 

Glows  the  morn  with  regal  splendor ; 

Sunshine  kisses  all  the  land, 
While  at  noon  the  heat  is  tempered 

By  the  breeze,  so  gently  fanned. 
In  the  west,  with  silver  lining, 

Storm  clouds  rest  with  sombre  hue, 
And  the  night,  all  set  with  diamonds, 

Fills  our  hearts  with  praises  new. 

God  is  good  to  gild  the  sunset, 

Fill  the  sky  with  pictures  grand, 
Send  the  breezes  soft  and  mellow, 

Strew  with  flowers  the  fertile  land ; 
Paint  his  promise  in  the  tempest, — 

Even  while  they  thunder  loud ; 
Deck   the   night  with   wondrous   beauty 

And  the  morn  with  glory  proud ! 

From  Interlaken  they  retrace  their  steps  down 
the  Rhine  to  Monheim,  where  they  embark  for  a 
trip  down  that  beautiful  river.  The  current  is  very 
rapid,  and  their  boat  glides  along  so  quietly,  in- 
tensely interested  as  they  are  in  the  scenery,  which 
is  the  illustration  of  many  a  story  of  mailed  knights, 
ancient  castles  and  terraced  vineyards,  that  before 
they  are  aware  of  it  they  are  confronted  by  the  fly- 
ing bridge,  which  periodically  establishes  communi- 
cation between  its  frowning  fortress  and  the  seat 
of  government  of  the  Rhinish  province,  the  capital 
of  which  is  Coblentz.  This  city  is  of  more  than 
prdinary  importance  in  a  great  many  ways.  It  is 


A      TALE     OF     THE      ROCKIES  147 

located  on  the  Rhine  at  the  junction  of  that  famous 
river  with  the  Moselle. 

The  view  from  the  quay,  as  one  gazes  at  the 
beautifully  terraced  fields,  the  fruit  of  which  may 
be  seen  hanging  over  the  rocks  in  great  purple 
clusters,  foretelling  future  hours  of  happiness,  when 
their  rich  blood  shall  sparkle  in  the  crystal  cup  in 
the  hands  of  beauty  at  the  marriage  feast,  or  turn 
the  thoughts  of  the  devoted  toward  eternity,  as  they 
taste  its  limpid  nectar  while  on  their  knees  at  the 
sacred  altar  in  memory  of  the  last  supper ;  while  the 
rippling  waters  beneath  gurgle  over  the  highly-col- 
ored stones,  or  quietly  repose  in  some  placid  pool  to 
reflect  back  the  image  of  many  a  crumbling  castle, 
whose  walls  are  decaying  from  the  ravages  of  time, 
causing  the  memory  to  go  back  to  the  days  of  the 
Crusaders, — to  acts  of  bravery  and  daring,  where 
the  mind  catches  glimpses  of  coats  of  mail,  and 
hand  to  hand  combats  which  took  place  on  these 
very  grounds  hundreds  of  years  ago  that  immortal- 
ized the  memory  of  those  who  participated  in  them. 

By  special  request  of  Robert  the  party  are  induced 
to  stop  off  here  and  make  a  short  trip  up  the  won- 
derful Moselle,  a  trip  which  is  not  on  the  regular 
tour,  but  one  that  is  well  worth  the  time  and  trouble 
of  the  traveler,  if  he  is  not  in  too  great  a  hurry,  and 
wishes  to  see  some  of  the  grandest  views  of  virgin 
nature. 

The  morning  is  a  typical  one  and  the  mellow 
breath  of  the  mountain  breezes  fans  the  cheek  of  the 
travelers  as  the  little  boat  steams  up  the  limpid 
stream.  Robert  and  Alice,  seated  in  the  bow  of  the 
boat,  entirely  lose  themselves  in  the  beauty  of  the 
scene  as  they  pass  luxuriant  groves  fringing  the 


148  THE      SINBAD      MINES: 

borders  of  the  stream,  in  the  midst  of  which  are 
nestled  quiet  farm-houses,  sheltering  those  who  ap- 
peared to  be  the  personification  of  perfect  hap- 
piness; past  roaring  cataracts  leaping  into  the  sun- 
light from  some  crystal  spring,  to  be  shattered  into 
thousands  of  resplendent  jewels  upon  the  projecting 
rocks  from  which  they  are  precipitated  to  the  placid 
pool  below,  to  reflect  back  the  graceful  image  of 
some  thirsty  deer. 

All  nature  seems  at  peace  with  mankind,  and  the 
holy  calm  which  pervades  the  scene  so  impressed 
the  young  lovers  that  they  sat  for  hours  drinking  in 
the  sublime  inspiration.  It  seemed  to  them  that 
words  would  be  useless,  if,  indeed,  not  out  of  place, 
here,  where  soul  communes  with  soul,  and  where 
all  nature  is  resonant  with  musical  anthems  which 
permeated  their  entire  beings,  causing  every  chord 
of  sympathy,  humanity  and  love  to  vibrate  in  uni- 
son with  Him  whose  being  is  but  love. 


Pure  love  is  a  heavenly  flower 

Which  was  sown  in  the  first  human  heart 
By  Him  who  was  love's  incarnation ; 

'Twas  of  Him  the  noblest  part, 
For  man  without  love  would  be  lacking 

In  all  which  most  truly  pertains 
To  make  him  the  lord  of  creation ; 

But  with  it,  how  nobly  he  reigns ! 

For  nowhere  in  all  His  creation 

Did  God  plant  the  seed  of  pure  love 
Except  in  the  hearts  of  His  children. 

To  fit  them  to  meet  Him  above ; 
To   make   this   life   well    worth   the   living, 

And  relieve  it  from   anguish  and  pain, 
That  we,  by  the  glow  of  His  beauty, 

A  glance  of  His  glory  might  gain. 


A     TALK     OF     THE     ROCKIES  149 

As  the  first  ray  of  light  on  the  mountain 

Proclaims  the  approach  of  day, 
So  love  on  this  earth  points  to  Heaven, 

Where  peace  will  forever  hold  sway. 
Where,   after  a  life  spent   in  loving 

The  children  of  men  here  below, 
Our  hearts  will  be  cleansed  from  all  envy, 

And  we  will  more  beautiful  grow. 

Tis  the  jewel  of  all  the  most  costly; 

Its  virtues  cannot  be  denied, 
As  'twas  for  love  of  His  wayward  children 

That  the  King  of  eternity  died. 
Then  we  who  are  saved  by  His  mercy 

Should  each  to  his   fellow   extend 
The  love  we  receive  from  our  Maker, 

Who,   for   love,  was   His   enemy's   friend. 

Shortly  after  noon  the  head  of  navigation  is 
reached,  and  they  go  ashore  to  discuss  the  contents 
of  the  basket  which  they  have  brought  with  them, 
after  which  they  gather  flowers  and  climb  the  green 
hillsides  until  they  are  tired  and  foot-sore,  when  they 
return  to  the  boat,  which  quietly  floats  out  on  the 
stream,  to  be  borne  away  on  the  surface  of  its  tran- 
quil waters,  as  they  onward  flow  to  mingle  with 
those  of  "Father  Rhine." 

While  gazing  into  its  liquid  depths  Alice  is  re- 
minded of  the  tuneful  little  poem  by  Sir  Edwin  Ar- 
nold, descriptive  of  their  meeting,  which  she  very 
impressively  recites  as  she  stands  with  her  loving 
eyes  fixed  upon  Robert,  who  appears  to  be  lost  in 
his  own  thoughts,  but  who  is  deeply  affected  by  his 
emotions,  which  he,  however,  succeeds  in  controll- 
ing to  the  end. 


ISO  THE    SINBAD    MINES: 

THE  MEETING  OF  THE  RHINE  AND  THE  MOSELLE 

As  the  glory  of  the  sun, 

When  the  dismal  day  is  done, 
Leaps  upward  in  the  summer-blue  to  shine, 

So   gloriously   flows 

From  his  cradle  rn  the  snows 
The  king  of  all  the  river  floods — the  Rhine! 

As  a  mailed  and  sceptered  king 

Sweeps  onward  triumphing, 
With  waves  of  helmets  flashing  in  his  line ; 

As    a    drinker    past    control, 

With  the  red  wine  on  his  soul, 
So  flashes  through  his  vintages,  the  Rhine! 

As  a  lady  who  would  speak 

What  is  written  on  her  cheek, 
If  her  heart  would  give  her  tongue  the  leave  to  tell, 

Who  fears  and  follows  still, 

But  dares  not  trust  her  will, 
So  follows  all  her  windings,  the  Moselle. 

Like  the  silence  which  is  broken 

When  the  wished-for  word  is  spoken. 
And  the  heart  hath  a  home  where  it  may  dwell, 

Like  the  sense  of  sudden  bliss, 

And  the  first  long,  loving  kiss, 
Is  the  meeting  of  the  Rhine  and  the  Moselle ! 

Like  the  two  lives  that  are  blended 

When  the  loneliness  is  ended, 
The  loneliness  each  heart  has  known  so  well ; 

Like  the  sun  and  moon  together 

In  a  sky  of  splendid  weather, 
Is  the  marriage  of  the  Rhine  and  the  Moselle ! 

Unable  to  longer  restrain  himself,  Robert  clasped 
her  in  his  arms  and  asked  if  she  did  not  think  that 
he  had  endured  the  loneliness  sufficiently  long;  if  she 
was  not  willing  to  occupy  his  heart  the  remainder 
of  their  lives,  as  it  was  hers,  and  had  been  from  the 
time  he  had  left  her  when  but  a  child  in  that  West- 
ern city  years  ago ;  that  in  all  of  his  wanderings  the 


A      TALE     OF      THE     ROCKIES  151 

thought  of  her  had  always  been  uppermost  in  his 
mind,  and  that  but  for  her  he  must  have  certainly 
yielded  to  some  of  the  many  temptations  to  which 
he  was  so  often  exposed;  that  his  happiness,  yea, 
even  life  itself,  was  at  her  disposal,  for  without  her 
love  the  future  was  void  and  worse  than  useless 
to  him. 

As  Robert  gazed  into  her  eyes  he  was  sure  that 
his  love  was  reciprocated ;  that  he  was  the  possessor 
of  the  most  priceless  jewel  in  the  world,  and  which 
was  to  bless  his  life  with  unalloyed  happiness.  Then, 
tenderly  pressing  his  lips  to  her  upturned  face, 
while  her  arms  encircled  his  neck,  he  heard  fall  from 
her  lips : 

"Yes,  dear  Robert,  I  am  thine  forever,  and  may 
God  grant  that  the  time  may  never  come  when  there 
shall  be  anything  to  mar  or  chill  our  love." 

So  oblivious  had  they  become  to  their  surround- 
ings that  it  had  not  occurred  to  them  that  they  might 
be  observed  by  others,  nor  that  the  deck  of  a  tour- 
ist's boat,  even  though  it  was  a  small  one  with  but 
few  passengers,  might  not  be  exactly  the  propel  place 
for  love-making.  Indeed,  their  thoughts  were  so 
confined  to  themselves  and  their  happiness  so  in- 
tense that  they  did  not  realize,  for  a  moment  at 
least,  that  there  were  others  in  the  world,  as  it  was 
enough  for  them  to  know  that  they  were  at  least  as 
happy  as  it  was  possible  for  mortals  to  be. 

When  the  mouth  of  the  river  was  reached  and 
their  boat  glided  out  into  the  historic  waters  of  the 
Rhine,  where  it  was  buoyed  up  by  both  rivers,  they 
felt  that  from  that  moment  their  lives  had  become 
inseperable  as  were  the  commingled  waters  of  the 
two  streams,  and  that  each  one's  individual  happi- 


152  T  HE     SINBAD     MINES! 

ness  depended  upon  the  other  as  much  as  did  their 
boat  upon  the  united  flood  upon  which  it  was  so 
gracefully  floating,  and  Robert  silently  prayed  that 
their  lives,  which  from  that  day  were  to  be  as  one, 
might  be  as  tranquil,  strong  and  majestic  as  the 
beautiful  stream  which  is  the  result  of  the  union  of 
both  the  beautiful  and  noble  in  nature,  which  flows 
by  the  ancient  city  of  Coblentz. 

Feeling  that  no  secrecy  was  necessary,  and  that  it 
was  better  to  advise  her  parents,  Alice  requested 
Robert  to  inform  them.  Going  to  the  forward  deck, 
where  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Moulton  were  engaged  in  con- 
versation, Robert  frankly  told  them  of  the  great 
happiness  which  had  come  to  him,  and  begged  that, 
though  he  was  unable  to  prove  to  them  at  the  pres- 
ent time  that  he  was  at  all  worthy  of  their  daughter's 
love,  he  would  endeavor  to  do  so,  to  their  satisfac- 
tion, before  their  marriage. 

Mr.  Moulton  listened  to  end,  when  he  extended 
his  hand,  assuring  Robert  that  they  were  willing  to 
trust  their  daughter  to  his  care,  and  that  they  were 
happy  to  call  him  their  son;  that  since  their  first 
meeting  they  had  been  deeply  interested  in  him,  and 
that  at  that  time  they  had  predicted  that  he  would 
become  a  man  who  would  be  an  honor  to  himself 
and  a  blessing  to  his  many  friends.  Mrs.  Moulton 
also  added: 

"I  was  sure  at  the  time  you  left  us  that  some  day 
you  would  return  to  repay  me  for  those  socks  which 
I  bought  for  you,  but  now  I  see  that  you  wish  me 
to  furnish  you,  not  only  with  socks,  but  with  some- 
one to  mend  them  as  well !" 

Robert  replied  that  he  was  well  aware  of  the 
great  value  of  the  gift  for  which  he  was  asking,  but 


A     TALE     OK     THE     ROCKIES  153 

that  he  would  try  to  live  such  a  life  that  neither  of 
them  would  ever  regret  having  granted  it.  To 
which  Mrs.  Moulton  replied : 

"God  bless  you,  my  children!" 

Robert  could  hardly  realize  that  so  much  happi- 
ness, wealth,  honor,  and  last,  but  greatest  of  all,  the 
love  of  a  noble  and  pure  woman, — could  really  be 
his — and  after  so  much  suffering  and  disappoint- 
ment. It  seemed  to  him  it  was  too  good  to  be  true. 
Life  had  suddenly  changed  from  the  condition  of  a 
prolonged  dream  of  future  happiness  to  the  acquisi- 
tion of  so  much  enjoyment  that  he  often  wondered 
that  it  had,  at  times,  seemed  so  hard  for  him  to  wait 
and  suffer,  for  he  now  realized  that  the  reward  was 
great  in  comparison  with  the  trials,  even  if  they  had 
been  severe,  and  lasted  for  many  years. 

MY  LOVE  IS  A  JEWEL 

My  love  is  a  jewel,  a  diamond  most  rare, 
A  gem  above  value  and  most  wondrous  fair. 
A  form  that  is  faultless,  a  soul  full  of  mirth, 
She's  a  vision  of  beauty,  an  angel  on  earth ! 

Her  lips  are  as  sweet  as  the  rose  to  the  bee, 
Her  eyes  like  the  stars  o'er  a  mid-summer  sea, 
Her  cheeks  like  the  morn  or  the  blush  in  the  west 
When  kissed  by  the  sun  as  he  sinks  to  his  rest. 

Her  voice  is  as  clear  as  the  voice  of  a  bird, 
Her  laugh  like  the  falling  of  water  is  heard; 
Like  the  down  of  a  thistle  her  tresses  are  blown, 
And  her  love,  like  the  blessing  of  Heaven,  I  own ! 

Like  the  blessing  of  Heaven !     The  acme  of  bliss 
Is  the  love  of  my  darling  when  sealed  by  a  kiss! 
Should  fortune  and  friends  forsake  and  depart, 
I  still  would  be  happy  with  thy  loving  heart; 

I  still  would  be  happy  and  most  richly  blessed 
With  thy  love  in  my  heart  and  thy  head  on  my  breast. 
We   soon   would  forget  all   the  trials  we'd  passed, 
And  live  for  each  other — and  love  to  the  last ! 


154  THE      SINBAD      MINES 


CHAPTER    VII 

JFTER  this  the  lovers  were  seldom  sep- 
arated for  long  at  a  time,  as  many 
plans  were  to  be  developed  in  regard 
to  their  future  movements.  It  was  fin- 
illy  decided  that  they  would  somewhat  shorten  their 
intended  tour  of  the  continent.  Robert  was  anx- 
ious to  return  to  the  states  as  soon  as  possible,  being 
unwilling  to  leave  the  entire  burden  of  conducting 
the  business  of  the  company  too  long  upon  his 
friends  at  the  mines. 

There  were  many  questions  which  had  to  be  set- 
tled: Where  were  they  to  be  married?  Where 
were  they  to  live?  Other  questions  naturally  pre- 
sented themselves.  The  second  was  answered  by 
Robert  as  soon  at  it  was  asked — at  Grand  Junction. 
The  first  question  was,  of  course,  left  to  Miss  Alice 
and  her  parents,  who  decided  that  the  ceremony 
had  better  take  place  in  their  country  home  in  Need- 
ham,  near  Boston. 

But  when  Robert  told  them  of  the  plans  which 
he  had  recently  formed  of  celebrating  the  event 
where  his  former  associates  might  enjoy  the  festi- 
val as  well,  and  asked  Mrs.  Moulton  for  the  privi- 
lege of  naming  the  place,  she  readily  consented,  when 
Robert  answered : 

"In  our  oivn  home  in  Colorado,"  adding  that  it 
would  make  him  happy  indeed  to  be  surrounded  at 


A      TALE     OF     THE     ROCKIES  155 

that  time  by  those  who  had  endured  the  trials  and 
hardships  with  him,  and  that  they  ought  certainly 
to  share  in  his  happiness  as  well. 

It  was  further  agreed  that  he  should  return  to 
the  West  sufficiently  in  advance  of  the  remainder 
of  the  family  that  he  might  prepare  a  home  for 
them,  and  where  the  wedding  might  take  place. 
After  these  arrangements  were. decided  upon,  and 
many  other  details  disposed  of,  the  party  renewed 
their  sight-seeing,  which  had  for  several  days  been 
entirely  forgotten. 

Coblentz,  a  quaint,  old,  guarded  city,  is  the  cen- 
ter of  many  beautiful  rambles  by  the  Rhine,  as  can 
be  testified  to  by  Miss  Alice  as  well  as  many  other 
young  people  who  have  been  so  fortunate  as  to  have 
spent  considerable  time  along  its  many  shady  walks: 
And  it  is  none  the  less  interesting,  to  the  English- 
speaking  public  at  least,  because  Tom  Hood  spent 
several  of  his  most  happy  days  here. 

In  the  warped  and  narrow  streets  nearest  the  Mo- 
selle are  the  principal  buildings  of  the  city,  the  an- 
cient church  of  St.  Castor,  which  dates  from  the 
twelfth  century,  and  near  it  the  "Koffhaus"  (Cus- 
tom House)  with  its  quaint  figure  connected  with 
the  machinery  of  the  clock,  rolling  its  goggled  eyes 
with  every  beat  of  the  pendulum  and  opening  its 
great  mouth  every  quarter  hour.  This  figure  is 
known  all  through  the  country  as  "The  man  in  the 
Custom  House,"  and  when  a  friend  from  the  coun- 
try meets  one  in  the  city,  instead  of  asking,  "How 
are  all  the  good  people  of  Coblentz?  he  inquires, 
"How  is  the  man  in  the  Custom  House  ?"  A  strong 
fortress  at  this  point  has  been  called  "The  Gib- 
ralter  of  the  Rhine." 


*5<  THE    SINBAD    MINES: 

The  trip  down  the  river  to  Cologne  is  one  full 
of  interest  to  the  student  and  historian,  as  well  as 
the  ordinary  sight-seer,  and  one's  attention  is  ab- 
sorbed in  the  many  monuments  upon  its  banks, — 
the  great  universities,  crumbling  castles  and  historic 
towns  fringing  the  water's  front,  many  of  which 
figured  in  the  history  of  the  ancient  wars  during 
the  feudal  days.  In  all  of  these  our  tourists  are  in- 
teiested  until,  before  they  are  aware  of  it,  there 
looms  up  in  the  gathering  twilight  directly  in  their 
course  the  great  stone  bridge  built  by  Napoleon  on 
his  disastrous  march  to  Moscow.  This  is  a  mas- 
sive structure,  with  huge  battlements  towering  above 
its  seven  piers,  built  so  solid  that  it  seems  as  though 
it  must  be  a  natural  formation,  and  that  even  time 
itself  could  produce  but  little  effect  upon  it. 

With  many  resounding  blasts  from  the  whistle 
and  the  greatest  exertion  from  the  engines,  which 
have  been  reversed  on  account  of  the  velocity  of  the 
current,  the  boat  is  brought  within  a  safe  distance 
of  the  pier,  a  line  heaved,  the  plank  run  out — and 
they  walk  ashore.  Rooms  are  secured  at  one  of  the 
great  hotels,  looking  for  all  the  world  like  a  gigan- 
tic dry-goods  box,  but  which  proves  to  be  very  hab- 
itable indeed. 

Cologne,  as  is  well  known,  manufactures  great 
quantities  of  the  refreshing  toilet  article  bearing 
its  name,  and  it  has  the  somewhat  unenviable  repu- 
tation of  being  the  foulest  smelling  city  in  the  civ- 
ilized world.  Upon  inquiring  of  a  perfumer  for 
the  cause  of  the  legion  of  smells  and  their  unac- 
countable repugnancy,  Charles  was  informed  that 
it  was  due  to  the  fact  that  all  the  pleasant  odors 
which  naturally  existed  in  the  atmosphere  of  that 


A      TALE      OF      THE     ROCKIES  157 

region  were  continually  being  extricated  and  used 
in  the  manufacture  of  cologne,  which  is  shipped  to 
all  parts  of  the  world,  leaving  only  the  noxious 
gases  for  the  philanthropic  citizens  of  that  gracious 
city  to  respire.  Be  that  as  it  might,  it  seemed  at 
least  plausible  to  Charles,  and  not  being  able  to  get 
any  better  solution  of  the  problem,  it  was  duly  ac- 
cepted by  him. 

The  streets  are  narrow,  uneven  in  grade,  and  very 
irregular.  Accumulations  of  all  kinds  of  filth, 
which  appeared  to  have  remained  there  for  ages, 
were  strewn  promiscuously  about.  This,  added  to 
the  divers  odors  which  assailed  one's  nostrils,  was 
of  itself  sufficient  to  create  disgust,  and  very  much 
abbreviate  one's  stay  in  the  city. 

The  main  cause  of  their  stop  here  was,  of  course, 
to  visit  the  great  cathedral,  which  they  all  admitted 
to  be  a  wonderful  edifice.  One  cannot  appreciate 
its  colossal  proportions  until  he  begins  to  compare 
it  with  the  standard  foot  and  yard,  as  everything  is 
on  such  an  immense  scale,  and  such  harmony  in 
proportion  is  maintained,  that  the  eye  is  deceived. 
Objects  which  appear  to  be  but  a  few  feet  in  height 
or  diameter  are,  upon  measurement,  found  to  be 
as  many  yards,  while  statuary  which  appears  to  be 
only  life  size,  upon  application  of  the  tape  line  is 
found  to  be  gigantic. 

While  the  party  were  busily  engaged  in  viewing 
the  many  features  of  interest  in  and  about  the  great 
edifice  they  were  approached  by  a  guide,  who  ser- 
iously informed  them  that  they  could  see  nothing 
of  interest  unless  they  employed  him  to  point  it  out 
to  them,  and  that  his  fee  for  such  services  would  be 
four  marks — in  advance.  Whereupon  Robert  im- 


158  THE      SINBAD      MINES: 

mediately  produced  the  required  amount,  as  he 
wished,  with  his  friends,  to  see  it  all,  and  for  the 
further  reason  that  he  was  an  American  and  ad- 
mired "cheek." 

The  guide  very  gravely  told  them  that  the  origi- 
nal designs  for  the  cathedral  were  drawn  by  the 
devil,  and  that  the  architect  who  constructed  it  bar- 
tered his  soul  for  the  possession  of  the  wonderful 
plans  and  specifications,  and  that  the  priests  and 
nuns  in  the  adjoining  monastery  were  still  praying 
for  the  delivery  of  his  soul  from  purgatory.  Charles 
remarked  that  if  the  poor  fellow's  soul  had  been  in 
that  infernal  place  for  all  the  years  since  the  erec- 
tion of  the  church,  it  seemed  to  him  there  would 
be  but  little  use  of  trying  to  get  it  out,  as  by  this 
time  it  would  be  so  wrinkled  and  dried  up  that  even 
its  original  owner  would  not  recognize  it. 

This  cathedral  is  the  largest  and  most  costly  of 
any  in  the  world,  the  carvings  alone  representing  the 
life-work  of  hundreds  of  the  most  famous  sculptors. 
It  is  built  in  the  Gothic  style,  and  adorned  with  as 
many  stone  crosses  as  there  are  years  in  the  Chris- 
tian era,  a  new  cross  being  added  at  the  beginning 
of  each  year.  One  of  its  towers  contains  the  largest 
swinging  bell  in  the  world.  It  is  known  as  the 
Kaiser  bell.  It  is  r.ung  but  once  a  year — on  the 
birthday  of  the  Emperor.  It  was  cast  from  cannon 
taken  from  the  French  during  the  last  war  with  that 
country,  and  it  requires  twenty-seven  men  to  ring  it. 

The  view  from  the  belfry  is  an  extensive  one,  as 
the  surrounding  country  is  comparatively  level,  and 
the  height  of  the  tower  very  great.  Descending 
to  the  auditorium  the  travelers  attended  vespers  in 
its  sacred  aisles  and  listened  to  the  wonderful 


A      TALE     OF      THE     ROCKIES  159 

chorus,  which  seemed  to  float  down  from  Heaven, 
so  far  away  were  the  singers  and  so  wonderful  the 
acoustic  properties. 

From  here  to  Rotterdam  the  journey  was  made 
by  rail  through  a  fine  farming  country  occupied 
largely  by  wealthy  landlords,  the  possessors  of  many 
fine  old  country  seats,  in  the  background  of  which 
are  clusters  of  small  houses  occupied  by  the  laborers, 
reminding  one  of  the  great  plantations  in  the  South 
before  the  war. 

As  the  company  was  desirous  of  reaching  France 
as  soon  as  practicable,  and  as  their  course  thither 
was  by  way  of  the  British  Isles,  they  made  no  stops 
until  they  reached  the  commercial  port  of  Holland — 
Rotterdam — at  which  place  they  arrived  late  at 
night,  stopping  at  the  hotel  Wymer  where  several 
days  were  spent  in  recuperating  and  looking  up  the 
history  of  this  old  seaport. 

Here  lived  and  worked  some  of  the  greatest  paint- 
ers the  world  has  ever  known,  and  here  may  be  seen 
some  of  the  masterpieces  of  the  great  Van  Dyck; 
paintings  which  are  actually  priceless,  commanding 
the  most  profound  respect  of  the  most  exacting 
critics,  and  which  are  as  carefully  guarded  as  are 
the  treasures  of  the  Bourse.  The  squares  are 
adorned  with  statuary,  while  at  almost  every  turn 
one  is  confronted  by  some  relic  which  speaks  of 
their  cherished  artist. 

The  city,  being  traversed  by  the  two  great  estuar- 
ies of  the  Rhine,  is  splendidly  located  for  commer- 
cial transactions,  and  is  the  gateway  for  American 
and  English  commerce.  Rotterdam  is  a  typical 
Dutch  city,  and  its  most  important  port  of  entry. 
The  extensive  warehouses  situated  at  this  point, 


l6o  THE      SINBAD      MINES: 

the  Custom  House,  and  the  great  amount  of  ship- 
ping, riding  in  the  rivers,  demonstrates  that  the 
Dutch  are  great  navigators,  and  when  a  visitor  learns 
that  the  merchants  of  this  city  are  importing  their 
own  wares  in  their  own  ships,  not  only  from  adja- 
cent countries,  but  from  the  most  remote  as  well,  the 
fact  is  forced  upon  one  that  although  the  country  is 
small,  its  importance  is  great. 

Then  when  it  is  remembered  that  three-fourths  of 
the  surface  of  Holland  has  been  reclaimed  from  the 
bottom  of  the  ocean,  and  that  even  after  its  inhabi- 
tants had  accomplished  this  wonderful  feat  to  se- 
cure the  limited  domain  which  they  now  have,  they 
were  obliged  to  defend  it  many  times  against  fear- 
ful odds,  being  besieged  on  all  sides,  and  their  coun- 
try invaded  by  the  French,  Spanish,  Austrians  and 
English,  all  of  whom  were  defeated,  and  in  some 
instances  annihilated,  he  begins  to  appreciate  the 
force  of  the  old  standing  joke,  that  "The  Dutch  have 
taken  Holland."  They  not  only  took  it,  but  have 
continued  to  hold  it  for  hundreds  of  years,  prov- 
ing themselves  capable  of  governing  themselves  as 
well  as  resisting  invasion. 

The  Hollanders  are  the  most  daring  of  navigators, 
as  many  geographical  points  and  landmarks  con- 
clusively prove,  bearing  the  imprint  of  their  dis- 
coveries. New  Zealand  was  settled  by  the  Dutch ; 
they  first  rounded  the  Horn,  it  being  so  named  from 
one  of  their  own  cities,  and  they  have  also  located 
colonies  in  Africa,  and  in  fact  nearly  all  over  the 
world. 

It  was  the  Dutch  who  established  the  first  perman- 
ent settlement  on  the  bleak  and  uninviting  coast  of 
the  Atlantic  at  what  they  named  New  Amsterdam. 


A      TALE     OF     THE     ROCKIES  l6t 

now  New  York.  It  was  the  Dutch  who,  leaving 
their  own  country,  and  entrusting  their  lives  to  the 
care  of  the  deep,  came  safely  over  to  land  on  our 
eastern  shores,  there  to  commence  the  laborious  task 
of  forming  the  most  powerful  and  enlightened  nation 
the  world  has  ever  known — a  fitting  reward  for  so 
brave  an  undertaking,  and  the  natural  results  of 
their  exalted  and  devoted  lives. 

After  refreshing  his  memory  on  the  history  of 
the  country  and  personally  studying  the  people,  their 
customs  and  religion,  and  their  honorable  way  of 
doing  business,  Robert  concluded  that  there  were 
few  nations  who  could  be  so  justly  proud  of  their 
country  when  abroad  as  the  Dutch,  and  he  vowed 
that  from  that  time  on  they  would  always  occupy 
a  warm  place  in  his  heart. 

From  Rotterdam  they  go  by  way  of  Flushing  to 
Queensborough,  England.  Reaching  the  quay,  they 
find  their  boat,  the  Kaiser  William,  in  waiting.  It 
is  a  magnificent,  side-wheeled  steamer,  with  the 
most  perfect  machinery  and  elaborate  decorations 
of  any  of  the  North  Sea  fleet.  It  is,  in  fact,  a  float- 
ing palace,  and  the  acme  of  mechanical  and  archi- 
tectural perfection.  Having  secured  their  berths, 
they  turn  their  attention  to  the  grand  dining  room, 
which  proves  the  ideal  of  the  epicure's  dream,  as  the 
tables  are  loaded  with  the  most  tempting  wines  and 
appetizing  relishes. 

As  soon  as  the  boat  leaves  the  mouth  of  the  Maas 
it  is  struck  by  a  stiff  breeze,  and  begins  to  roll  in  a 
manner  which  precludes  any  enjoyment  on  deck,  and 
they  are  forced  to  go  below,  and  finally  to  their  state- 
rooms, which  they  find  great  difficulty  in  reaching 
on  account  of  the  unsteadiness  of  the  boat,  which  is 


162  THE      SINBAD      MINES: 

being  thrown  about  in  a  most  violent  manner  by  the 
boisterous  sea.  It  was  normal  channel  weather, 
which  has  the  reputation  the  world  over  of  being 
the  "nastiest"  of  all,  never  twice  alike,  and  it  soon 
has  its  effect  upon  the  passengers,  who  may  be  seen 
scattered  about  the  saloons  and  passage-ways  groan- 
ing with  the  agonies  of  sea-sickness,  some  shrieking 
from  fear  that  they  are  about  to  sink,  while  others 
wish  they  might  go  to  the  bottom  and  be  out  of  their 
agony. 

The  Moultons  are  no  exception  to  the  rule,  but 
they  all  take  the  matter  as  good-naturedly  as  pos- 
sible under  the  circumstances,  most  of  them  being 
too  sick  to  complain  very  much.  Mr.  Moulton  and 
Robert  try  to  keep  about  to  take  care  of  the  more 
delicate  ones,  but  they  soon  find  it  utterly  impossible 
to  do  so,  and  are  obliged  to  crawl  into  their  berths 
and  await  the  morning,  which  finds  them  skirting 
along  the  shores  of  England  near  the  mouth  of  the 
harbor.  They  soon  enter  the  harbor,  and  running 
alongside  the  pier,  they  are  moored  at  their  docks; 
board  the  train  and  are  rolling  toward  the  largest 
city  in  the  world. 

London,  great  on  account  of  its  vastness,  and 
monotonous  on  account  of  its  greatness,  with  much 
of  its  activity  under  ground,  the  result  of  an  ex- 
tensive system  of  subterranean  belt  railroads,  seems 
quiet  compared  with  other  great  cities,  where  all  of 
the  business  may  be  seen  going  on  above  ground. 
This,  of  course,  is  a  typical  English  city,  and  it 
does  not  strike  the  average  American  as  a  desirable 
place  to  live.  The  street  cars  are  represented  by  the 
continental  van  and  the  omnipresent  cab. 

The  customs  are  formal  and  reserved,  which  give 


A      TALE      OF      THE      ROCKIES  163 

the  impression,  to  an  American  at  least,  of  superior 
importance.  This  is  more  apparent,  however,  than 
real,  as  our  visitors  soon  find  out.  Dinners  are 
served  with  much  less  display  than  on  the  continent, 
and  with  comparatively  few  courses.  Street  man- 
ners are  abrupt,  and  total  indifference  to  the  pres- 
ence of  others  is  very  marked.  This,  however,  is 
more  the  result  of  custom  than  intention,  as  informa- 
tion on  almost  any  subject  is  freely  given  upon  re- 
quest. 

At  receptions  and  social  gatherings  the  Ameri- 
cans were  received  with  the  warmest  welcome,  and 
they  were  gratified  to  find  that  what  a  man  was 
worth  in  stocks  and  bonds  cut  no  figure  in  the  num- 
ber of  his  dinners  out,  or  to  the  respect  which  was 
paid  him  by  the  best  class.  What  he  had  done  in 
the  arts  and  sciences,  or  to  better  the  condtion  of 
humanity,  were  the  criterions  by  which  he  was  meas- 
ured. This  being  so  in  contrast  with  the  deplorable 
practice  in  vogue  in  the  United  States  of  estimating 
a  man  by  what  he  is  worth,  was  a  very  agreeable 
surprise  to  the  Moultons,  teaching  them  a  lesson  not 
easily  forgotten. 

Alice  and  Mrs.  Moulton  found  the  ladies  to  be 
well  informed  and  remarkably  good  conversational- 
ists, and  much  less  inclined  to  frivolity  than  their 
brothers,  many  of  them  seeming  to  be  greatly  in- 
terested in  the  acquirement  of  general  knowledge, 
some  of  which  is  considered  in  America  as  unnec- 
essary. 

By  the  assistance  of  recommendations,  Robert  se- 
cured accommodations  with  an  attache  of  the  gov- 
ernment in  Earl's  Court,  near  Victoria  Station, 
places  made  familiar  to  the  public  on  account  of 


164  THE      SINBAD      MINES: 

their  being  associated  with  the  stories  of  Charles 
Dickens.  Here  they  remain  for  several  weeks,  wan- 
dering through  the  parks,  gazing  at  the  shop  win- 
dows, or  floating  upon  the  Thames.  Long  rides 
were  also  taken  through  the  suburbs  and  surround- 
ing country  on  the  tops  of  the  great  vans  which  are 
continually  rolling  through  the  thoroughfares,  and 
sometimes  by  steam  cars,  all  of  which  pass  through 
Victoria  Station. 

Long  walks  were  frequently  enjoyed,  especially 
by  the  young  people  of  the  party,  extending  to  Hyde 
Park  or  down  the  river  front,  of  which  they  never 
seemed  to  tire.  On  a  pleasant  afternoon  they  might 
have  been  seen  elbowing  their  way  along  the  Strand, 
or  gazing  at  the  signs  in  Picadilly,  stopping  to  ad- 
mire the  beautiful  proportions  of  St.  Paul's,  or  won- 
dering at  the  strange  motto  over  the  door  of  the 
Stock  Exchange:  "The  earth  is  the  Lord's  and  the 
fullness  thereof."  How  these  words  could  possibly 
have  any  relation  either  to  that  edifice  or  to  the  busi- 
ness conducted  there  was  a  conundrum  to  Charles, 
which  even  Mr.  Moulton  and  Robert  failed  to  sat- 
isfactorily explain. 

They  visited  Westminster  Abbey  and  bowed  their 
heads  in  reverence  in  its  sacred  aisles,  under  the 
pavement  of  which  sleep  the  most  illustrious  of  the 
world's  heroes,  and  as  they  read  the  names  of  some 
from  their  own  land  they  feel  that  the  influence  of 
the  great  and  good  is  not  measured  by  the  length  of 
their  lives,  and  that  they  "would  humbly  sit  and 
hold  high  communion  with  the  mighty  dead." 

The  Tower  of  London  and  Windsor  Castle  were 
both  of  interest  from  the  fact  that,  as  Charles  ex- 
pressed it,  "they  both  had  the  distinction  of  having 


A      TALfi     Of     THE     ROCKIES  16$ 

been  royal  residences,"  although  of  a  somewhat  dif- 
ferent character, — the  former  generally  being  occu- 
pied by  a  sovereign  during  the  latter  part  of  his  life, 
which  was  usually  short  on  account  of  the  extreme 
unhealthiness  of  the  locality.  At  the  castle  they 
were  not  admitted  on  account  of  Her  Majesty's  ab- 
sence, she  being  on  a  visit  to  her  grandson,  the  Em- 
peror of  Germany. 

Charles  remarked  that  it  would  undoubtedly  be 
a  great  disappointment  to  the  queen,  as  she  would 
no  doubt  very  much  regret  her  absence  and  conse- 
quent inability  to  meet  her  distinguished  visitors, 
but  as  they  could  not  take  the  trouble  to  call  again, 
she  would  necessarily  be  deprived  of  the  pleasure  of 
entertaining  them. 

In  the  Tower  they  were  shown  the  ax  and  block 
which  severed  the  head  from  the  body  of  Mary, 
Queen  of  Scots,  Anne  Boleyn,  and  several  other 
members  of  the  royal  family.  The  walls  of  some 
of  the  dungeons  are  disfigured  by  the  names  of  some 
of  those  who  were  allowed  to  starve  to  death  within 
their  dark  confines,  and  it  seemed  strange  to  the 
Americans  that  the  government  would  allow  the 
guard  to  show  these  terrible  places  to  the  public, 
when  it  is  well  known  at  the  present  day  that  many 
of  the  executions  which  took  place  there  were  crimes 
of  the  darkest  dye,  and  that  they  were  generally  the 
result  of  political  rivalry  or  religious  jealousy,  and 
not  as  a  punishment  of  any  real  violation  of  the  law. 

A  visit  to  the  "Temple,"  in  Temple  Bar,  was  of 
a  very  different  character  and  of  great  interest  to 
Mr.  Moulton  and  Robert,  as  they  were  both  Knights 
Templar.  All  of  the  memories  of  the  past  were  of  a 
character  to  excite  admiration  instead  of  disgust. 


l66  THE      SINBAD      MINES: 

The  temple  was  built  by  the  Crusaders  of  the  thir- 
teenth century  as  a  stronghold  against  the  Gauls, 
who  invaded  England  at  that  time  with  the  intent 
of  destroying  the  Masonic  order  and  of  annihilating 
the  Holy  Bible,  in  accordance  with  a  decree  of  the 
pope. 

It  was  used  both  as  a  lodge  room  and  as  a  church, 
besides  serving  as  a  fortress  where  the  members  of 
the  order  could  assemble  in  safety  and  protect  them- 
selves against  their  enemies.  Its  walls  are  over  five 
feet  in  thickness,  which  are  protected  by  an  outer 
rampart  surrounded  by  parapets.  It  also  contains 
some  columns  from  the  Temple  of  King  Solomon 
at  Jerusalem,  two  of  the  oldest  glass  windows  known 
to  exist  in  the  world,  brought  from  Damascus;  the 
bodies  of  several  embalmed  knights,  who  died  dur- 
ing their  campaign  to  the  Holy  Land,  as  well  as  the 
finest  organ  in  England.  The  Temple  is  an  il- 
lustrated history  of  Masonry  from  the  time  of  the 
Crusaders  down  to  the  present  day.  It  is  still  used 
for  Masonic  meetings,  over  which  the  Prince  of 
Wales  frequently  presides. 

Robert  was  informed  by  the  warden  that  when 
the  original  builders  attempted  to  erect  the  columns 
in  their  present  position,  which  had  previously  been 
brought  from  the  Holy  Land,  it  was  found  impos- 
sible to  use  both  of  the  capitals  which  had  origi- 
nally adorned  the  columns,  and  that  consequently 
the  super  of  upper  capitals  were  buried  in  the  earth 
under  the  floor  of  the  Temple  until  its  remodeling, 
when  they  were  dug  up,  from  which  small  pieces 
have  been  distributed  to  commanderies  throughout 
all  parts  of  the  world.  Ascertaining  that  it  was 
possible  to  secure  one  of  these  precious  stones,  Rob- 


A      TALE     OF     THE      ROCKIES  167 

ert  immediately  set  to  work  to  obtain  it,  and  suc- 
ceeded in  securing  a  fine  specimen,  which  he  broke 
from  the  original  capital  with  his  own  hand. 

Thinking  there  would  come  a  time  when  there 
would  be  instituted  a  commandery  in  the  far-west- 
ern city  upon  which  he  had  set  his  heart,  he  de- 
termined to  preserve  it  to  present  to  such  command- 
ery, with  the  request  that  in  receiving  it  the  name  of 
"Temple  Commandery"  be  conferred  upon  the  body. 
Little  did  he  dream  that  his  hopes  would  so  soon 
be  realized,  but  within  four  years  from  that  day 
"Temple  Commandery"  had  received  its  charter  and 
the  stone  was  safely  deposited  in  its  sacred  asylum. 

Although  their  time  was  becoming  limited,  they 
considered  it  would  not  do  to  leave  London  without 
having  seen  the  Crystal  Palace,  a  wonderful  build- 
ing with  magnificent  grounds,  situated  some  distance 
from  the  center  of  the  city,  and  surrounded  by  a  for- 
est of  beautiful  trees.  This  is  a  magnificent  build- 
ing, and  the  grounds  are  a  picture  in  art  and  nature, 
furnishing  a  wonderful  opportunity  for  the  scholar 
in  botany  to  pursue  his  studies,  as  here  are  aggre- 
gated thousands  of  rare  plants  and  trees,  many  of 
which  require  an  artificial  climate  for  their  propa- 
gation, as  the  cold,  rough  air  of  the  British  Isles  is 
far  too  rigorous  for  their  delicate  natures. 

But  to  be  appreciated,  Crystal  Palace  must  be 
seen  at  night,  when  its  thousands  of  lights  flame 
forth,  reflecting  from  myriads  of  prisms  the  de- 
composed rays  which  fall  upon  the  foliage,  painting 
them  with  all  the  tints  of  the  rainbow,  and  produc- 
ing an  effect  which  is  little  less  than  marvelous. 

Robert  was  curious  to  see  London  Bridge,  which 
has  for  the  past  two  hundred  years  sustained  the 


i68  TH£    SIN  BAD    MINES: 

reputation  of  being  the  most  crowded  thoroughfare 
in  the  world,  and  as  one  stands  and  beholds  the  sea 
of  humanity  which  is  constantly  surging  across  its 
broad  way  from  morning  until  night,  and  from  night 
until  morning,  he  is  willing  to  concede  the  truth  of 
the  assertion.  Black  friars  and  the  Egyptian  obe- 
lisks were  features  which  attracted  the  attention  of 
the  travelers,  as  their  situation  is  such  as  to  provide 
a  pleasant  walk  while  a  useful  lesson  is  learned,  even 
if  the  text  is  more  than  two  thousand  years  old,  and 
its  author  long  ago  consigned  to  the"  mystical  care 
of  the  Egyptian  embalmer. 

Having  exhausted  the  time  allotted  them,  tickets 
are  secured  for  the  city  of  Calais,  which  read  "via 
Dover,"  and  bear  a  red  stamp  upon  which  is  printed 
in  glaring  letters,  "Tidal  train."  Bundles  and  pack- 
ages are  hurried  together,  and  the  Moulton  party 
are  soon  on  their  way  to  meet  the  tide  which  comes 
in  when  the  train  does,  or  to  meet  the  boat  which 
brings  the  tide  in,  or  the  tide  which  brings  the  boat 
in,  they  don't  know  which,  and  they  don't  care  to 
ask  the  guard,  as  "hit  is  quite  English,  don't  you 
know." 

The  trip  across  the  channel  is  a  very  fine  one,  as 
the  weather  is  all  that  one  could  desire.  They  reach 
their  destination  in  time  for  the  regular  table  d'hote, 
and  go  sight-seeing  in  the  evening.  The  most  pow- 
erful electric  light  in  the  world  is  doing  service  here 
as  a  beacon  light.  The  structure  is  composed  en- 
tirely of  steel,  the  lamp  being  situated  at  an  eleva- 
tion of  five  hundred  feet,  the  beams  from  which  can 
be  seen  a  long  distance  up  the  North  Sea. 

The  city  belonged  to  the  English  for  many  years, 
finally  being  wrested  from  them  by  Napoleon,  and 


A      TALE      OF     THE      ROCKIES  IO9 

held  in  spite  of  the  most  determined  efforts  on  the 
part  of  the  English.  Calais  is  a  most  beautiful  sea- 
port with  a  commodious  harbor,  and  it  is  not  strange 
that  the  different  powers  wished  to  possess  it. 

From  here  they  go  to  Paris,  a  point  of  interest 
to  all  tourists,  as  the  great  French  capital  has  the 
reputation  of  being  the  gayest  and  most  attractive 
of  any  of  the  European  centers.  They  reached  their 
rooms  in  the  hotel  "Anglo-Francais"  in  the  early 
morning.  This  hotel  is  situated  in  the  Rue  de  Re- 
voli,  near  the  Place  de  la  Concorde.  Here  they  re- 
main for  several  weeks,  sauntering  through  the  great 
boulevards,  visiting  the  numerous  architectural  struc- 
tures with  which  the  city  abounds,  and  in  enjoying 
many  pleasant  excursions. 

The  extensive  art  galleries  of  The  Louvre  are  a 
never-failing  source  of  enjoyment  to  Robert,  who 
has  never  had  the  pleasure  of  gratifying  his  taste 
for  the  beautiful  in  art,  and  although  he  spent  many 
days  in  these  immense  galleries,  he  did  not  tire  of 
looking  at  some  of  the  great  masterpieces.  One 
which  especially  interested  him  was  entitled  "Life 
and  Death,"  representing  a  young  girl  reclining  in 
a  cave  attentively  studying  a  skull.  These  galleries 
are  the  most  extensive  of  any  in  Europe,  and  one 
can  profitably  spend  months  within  their  salles. 

The  Grand  Opera,  the  Madeline,  and  the  Hotel 
des  Invalids,  are  all  beautiful  pictures  in  stone,  the 
latter  being  of  importance  from  the  fact  that  it  is 
the  last  resting  place  of  the  great  French  Emperor 
— Napoleon.  The  casket  is  of  Russian  granite,  and 
its  weight  is  over  six  tons,  while  all  of  the  sur- 
roundings are  of  the  most  costly  material.  The 
casket  rests  in  the  center  of  a  circular  pit,  and 


170  THE      SINBAD      MINES: 

around  it  are  figures  of  saints  extending  in  their 
outstretched  arms  garlands  of  immortelles.  The 
opening  is  guarded  by  a  balustrade,  above  which  is 
inscribed  the  following: 

"I  desire  that  my  ashes  may  rest  on  the  banks  of 
the  Seine,  among  the  French  nation  I  loved  so 
much." 

The  Place  de  la  Concorde,  with  its  beautiful 
walks,  dazzling  fountains,  and  grand  statuary,  en- 
closed by  the  most  costly  buildings  in  the  world,  is 
traversed  by  the  grand  Allies  of  the  Tuilleries,  over 
which  the  Arc  de  Triompe  solemnly  keeps  guard. 
It  is  a  wonderful  place,  and  the  observer  is  not  sur- 
prised that  it  was  the  ambition  of  the  "Conqueror 
of  the  World"  to  make  here  the  realization  of  the 
fabled  Elysian  Fields,  where  there  should  be  no 
signs  of  suffering  or  sorrow ;  nothing  but  the  beauti- 
ful— and  the  acme  of  happiness. 

As  Robert  sauntered  through  the  beautiful  scen- 
ery, his  senses  regaled  with  the  perfume  of  thous- 
ands of  the  most  exquisite  flowers,  and  leaning  upon 
his  arm  his  accomplished  and  lovable  Alice,  who  had 
promised  to  become  his  bride,  he  was  sure  that  if  the 
great  Emperor  had  not  succeeded  in  accomplishing 
all  that  he  had  attempted  at  that  time,  he  had  cer- 
tainly been  rewarded,  long  after  his  death,  by  hav- 
ing his  gardens  visited  by  one  whose  circumstances 
had  combined  to  make  a  living  example  of  the  found- 
er's idea;  for  Robert  was  happy,  much  beyond  his 
fondest  expectations,  and  rightly  so. 

Just  beyond  the  arch,  and  outside  the  city  walls, 
is  the  Bois  de  Boulogne  with  its  thousands  of  acres 
of  shady  woods,  beautiful  gardens,  artificial  lakes, 
wonderful  cascades,  crystal  pagodas,  arcades  of 


A      TALE      OF      THE      ROCKIES  17! 

flowers,  and  magnificent  drives,  which  are  thronged 
with  elegant  equipages,  occupied  by  stylishly  attired 
ladies  and  gentlemen,  and  driven  by  uniformed 
lackies,  while  mellow  strains  of  martial  music  float 
out  upon  the  air. 

The  promenaders  wind  their  way  among  the  mar- 
velous artificial  creations  of  shrubbery,  representing 
nature  so  exactly  as  to  deceive  the  most  practiced 
eye.  Add  to  all  of  this  the  perfect  freedom  of  the 
place ;  no  restraint  being  imposed,  as  one  may  gather 
flowers  at  pleasure,  and  you  behold  a  scene  which 
outrivals  the  pictures  of  the  Arabian  Nights,  and 
one  which  you  will  dream  of  for  years  to  come. 

The  river  Seine,  with  its  seven  bridges,  the  build- 
ers of  which  tried  to  out-do  each  other  in  architec- 
tural beauty,  the  banks  of  which  are  terraced  with 
granite,  and  upon  whose  placid  waters  float  the 
quaint  wash-houses,  with  their  busy  occupants  and 
long  lines  of  white  linen,  presents  another  picture 
which  has  an  Eastern  tinge  to  it  that  is  exceedingly 
attractive  to  the  Western  beholder. 

By  previous  arrangement  of  Robert,  one  morn- 
ing a  "tally-ho"  rolled  up  to  the  hotel  door,  and  help- 
ing his  party  aboard,  they  were  soon  enjoying  a  ride 
on  one  of  those  famous  vehicles,  which  are  distinct- 
ively an  American  institution,  but  one  which  is 
acutely  enjoyed  by  the  live  Frenchman. 

Their  destination  was  Versailles,  and  the  royal 
palace  of  that  suburb,  which  was  built  to  please  the 
vanity  of  the  scheming  Pompodore,  who  was  the 
direct  cause  of  the  fall  of  that  wonderful  man,  who 
was  foolish  enough  to  listen  to  her  deceitful  tongue, 
and  who  suffered  severely  for  his  indiscretion  on 
the  lone  Isle  of  St.  Helena.  Here  are  many  grand 


172  THE      SINBAD      MiNESl 

fountains  and  basins,  with  beautiful  groves  and 
lawns,  while  miniature  canals,  carpeted  to  the  wa- 
ter's brink,  stretch  away  down  the  shady  lane, 
which  is  fronted  by  palaces  and  statuary,  calling  viv- 
idly to  mind  sketches  of  scenery  in  ancient  Venice. 

Upon  their  return  they  attend  the  play  at  the 
Grand  Opera,  where,  although  he  had  read  of  the 
marvelous  beauty  of  the  palatial  play-house,  Robert 
was  astounded  at  its  resplendent  grandeur,  the  re- 
sult of  the  most  elaborate  carving  and  beautiful  dec- 
orations known  to  the  arts.  There  is  not  a  square 
corner  in  the  whole  edifice,  and  the  lines  are  drawn 
with  such  exquisite  taste  that  one  is  bewildered  with 
the  gorgeous  effect. 

Shopping  excursions  were  made  through  the 
grand  magazine,  where  presents  were  procured  for 
the  friends  at  home,  the  low  price  of  which  was  a 
revelation  to  all  the  Moultons.  One  morning  after 
a  shopping  excursion  Alice  requested  Robert  to  ac- 
company the  children  to  the  park  under  the  pre- 
tense that  they  were  in  the  way,  and  that  they  very 
much  wanted  to  see  the  boat  race  which  was  adver- 
tised to  take  place  in  the  grand  basin  of  the  Tuiller- 
ies.  Robert  half  imagined  there  was  some  privacy 
going  on,  but  did  not  wish  to  appear  inquisitive,  nor 
did  he  care  to  disappoint  Alice  in  any  little  surprise 
which  she  might  wish  to  make  him. 

So,  pretending  that  he  did  not  mind  the  forced 
absence  from  his  betrothed  for  a  few  hours,  he  led 
the  children  to  the  boating  ground,  which  was  al- 
ready filled  with  an  excited  crowd  of  happy  chil- 
dren, engaged  in  sailing  miniature  boats  upon  the 
surface  of  the  pond  surrounding  the  great  fountain. 
These  boats  were  provided  with  loaded  rudders,  and 


A      TALE      OF      THE      ROCKIES  173 

by  careful  manipulation  were  capable  of  being 
steered  from  a  quartering  wind  quite  accurately. 
Several  of  them  were  frequently  started  at  the  same 
time,  wagers  being  made  by  the  parents  or  friends 
of  the  owner  on  the  favorite  boat. 

Robert  purchased  a  couple  of  little  yachts,  and 
after  naming  them  they  were  started  in  the  race,  to 
the  immense  delight  of  the  young  folks.  Robert 
was  surprised  to  find  himself  hurrahing  in  an  ex- 
cited manner  when  Matie's  boat  touched  on  the  op- 
posite curb  first,  winning  twenty  francs  for  its  young 
mistress.  So  the  day  was  spent,  the  children  enjoy- 
ing it  to  its  fullest  extent  until  it  began  to  rain, 
when  they  returned  to  their  hotel  to  find  their  rooms 
nearly  filled  with  bundles. 

Robert  was  informed  that  he  had  been  sent  away 
during  the  day  because  Mr.  Moulton  wished  to  pro- 
cure the  trousseau  for  his  daughter  without  having 
it  seen  by  him  until  the  wedding,  as  he  desired  to 
surprise  him.  Robert  noticed  that  some  of  the  pack- 
ages bore  the  name  of  "Worth,"  which  satisfied  him 
that  their  contents  would  be  fully  up  to  the  latest  in 
style. 

After  spending  double  the  time  which  they  had  in- 
tended, they  reluctantly  left  the  French  capital,  feel- 
ing that  they  had  seen  but  a  small  part  of  the  beau- 
tiful in  the  many  branches  of  art  which  are  to  be 
found  in  that  wonderful  country  and  still  more  won- 
derful city.  True,  they  had  seen  gardens  and  flow- 
ers before;  they  had  admired  paintings  in  a  great 
many  galleries,  and  sculpture  in  a  great  many  coun- 
tries; they  had  seen  statuary  before;  stately  edi- 
fices and  grand  boulevards ;  they  had  seen  beautiful 
ladies  and  elegant  costumes,  and  they  had  enjoyed 


174  THE      SINBAD      MINES 


the  grandeur  of  other  cities,  but  they  had  never 
seen  anything  like  this  before,  for  there  is  but  one 
Paris! 

While  it  has  nothing  like  the  Crystal  Palace,  like 
Rijks  Museum,  or  "Under  den  Linden,"  it  has  hun- 
dreds of  acres  of  gardens  filled  with  plants  and 
blossoms  of  the  richest  hues,  great  boulevards,  mag- 
nificent palaces,  artistic  picture  galleries,  beautiful 
statuary,  palatial  churches,  immense  government 
buildings,  wonderful  monuments,  a  superb  Opera 
House,  delightfully  polite  people,  and  to  crown  it 
all,  it  has  its  gigantic  Eiffel  tower  nearly  one  thou- 
sand feet  in  height,  from  the  top  of  which  our  friends 
had  looked  down  upon  the  most  beautiful  city  in  all 
the  world. 

As  Robert  and  Alice  strolled  along  the  Italian 
boulevard  on  the  evening  before  their  departure  from 
the  city,  and  beheld  a  throng  of  gaily  dressed  ladies 
and  gentlemen,  who  appeared  to  have  nothing  in 
the  world  to  wish  for,  Robert  wondered  to  himself 
if  such  people,  brought  up  among  all  the  luxuries  of 
the  most  luxurious  city  of  the  present  day,  had  any 
conception  of  what  life  really  was ;  if  they  really 
did  enjoy  the  blessings  which  had  come  to  them, 
they  knew  not  how,  which  they  were  born  to,  and 
which  had  cost  them  nothing;  or  did  they  con- 
sider it  as  simply  a  show,  for  it  seemed  impossible 
to  him  that  they  should  know  what  life's  real  pleas- 
ures were,  and  he  congratulated  himself  on  the  fact 
that  he  had  seen  the  roughest  side  of  the  roughest 
kind  of  life,  that  he  had  lived  the  "other  side  of 
life,"  and  believed  that  he  was  now  in  a  position  to 
appreciate  all  of  the  blessings  which  might  be  be- 
stowed upon  him. 

Indeed,  he  felt  that  the  trials  which  he  had  en- 


A      TALE      OF      THE      ROCKIES  175 

dured  had  but  fitted  him  to  more  acutely  appreciate 
the  great  happiness  which  was  now  his,  and  that  the 
lessons  which  he  had  so  dearly  learned  would  in  the 
future  assist  him  in  exhibiting  a  kindly  love  for  his 
fellow  man  in  whatever  position  he  might  find  him, 
and  that  should  misfortune  ever  frown  upon  his 
pathway,  he  would  be  the  better  enabled  to  endure  its 
trials. 

With  a  feeling  of  sadness  they  began  to  make 
preparations  for  their  long  return  journey — toward 
home  and  the  many  dear  ones  who  were  waiting 
for  them  far  across  the  stormy  ocean.  The  task 
completed,  they  boarded  the  train  and  were  rapidly 
borne  along  toward  the  old  seaport  town  of  Bou- 
logne. A  few  hours'  ride,  and  they  were  landed  at 
that  French  port  situated  upon  the  English  Chan- 
nel, which  Robert  had  seen  before  from  the  deck 
of  the  steamer  on  that  beautiful  star-lit  night  when 
he  was  alone  in  the  world,  that  world  which  seemed 
to  him  so  hard  and  remorseless,  and  which  he 
thought  cared  for  no  one. 

Now,  as  he  gazed  upon  the  same  picture,  he  saw 
it  in  softer  shades  and  with  more  kindly  feelings; 
he  saw  kind  friends  and  loving  hearts,  and  his  mind 
was  at  rest — at  peace  with  all  mankind!  Had  the 
world  changed  and  mankind  developed  into  beings 
with  loving  natures,  or  was  it  the  change  within 
himself?  Was  it  possible  that  reciprocated  love 
could  have  wrought  this  great  change — transformed 
him  to  a  degree  that  he  could  scarcely  comprehend  ? 

Yes,  such  was  the  case,  and  Robert  felt  as  though 
he  had  reason  to  be  the  most  thankful  of  all  the 
children  of  men  for  the  kind  Providence  which  had 
led  him  to  realize  his  most  cherished  hopes ;  for  a 
love  which  satisfied  his  inmost  soul,  the  reward,  as 


176  THE      SINBAD      MINES: 

he  believed,  of  an  earnest  endeavor  to  lead  a  pure 
and  worthy  life. 

BOULOGNE-SUR-MER 

Where  sporting  sunbeams  fair  enhance 
The  waving  fields  of  sunny  France, 
Beside  the  sea,  with  crumbling  gates, 
In  peaceful  dreams  she  smiling  waits, — 
Close  nestling  'neath  the  vine-clad  hills 
Where  towers   the  form  of  ancient  mills, 
Whose  arms  are  floundering  in  the  breeze 
Like  giants  challenging  the  seas ! 

Above,  the  sky  of  deepest  hue ; 
Below,  the  waters  dark  and  blue, 
While  onward  toward  the  west  there  floats 
The  black-sailed  fleet  of  fishing  boats, 
Bearing  a  prayer  from  many  a  breast 
For  those  who  toil,  nor  seek  their  rest 
Through  storms  that  sweep  the  angry  main, 
Until  it  bears  them  home  again. 

With  massive  forts,  whose  blackened  throats 
Still  yawn  above  their  sluggish  moats 
As  though  to  whisper  from  the  past 
Of  battles  fought  until  the  last! 
Of  deadly  conflicts,  war  and  strife, 
That  woke  the  echoes  loud  to  life, 
When    Bretons    strove   against   the    Gauls 
And  crimson  dyed  thy  trembling  walls ! 

Beside  the  sea  where  navies  ride 
The  ever-restless,  changing  tide, 
And    ships    with    gallants    proudly   furled 
Return  from  cruises  o'er  the  world, — 
Upon  thy  beach,  in  beauty  fair, 
Thy  daughters  breathe  the  balmy  air, 
While  bells   from  out  thy  towers  high 
Ring  out  their  anthems  to  the  sky. 

I   love  to  dream  of  days  with  thee, 
The  moon  o'erhead,  the  laughing  sea; 
Of  strolls   within   thy  market   place, 
Where  gather  those  who  love  thy  race. 
Farewell    to    sunny   France's    shore! 
And,  though  I  see  thee  nevermore, 
I'll  try  the  starting  tear  to  dry 
With  au  revoir  and  not  good  bye! 


A      TALE     OF      THE      ROCKIES  177 


CHAP  T  ER    VIII 

ouLOGNE-SuR-MER  is  defended  by  some 
of  the  oldest  fortifications  in  Europe, 
many  of  them  being  so  worn  by  the 
elements  that  they  are  little  more  than 
heaps  of  rubbish.  Some  of  the  older  ones  were 
built  by  the  Gauls  during  the  Dark  Ages,  and 
afterwards  repaired  by  the  Romans  when  they  took 
possession  of  the  country.  All  the  older  parts  of 
the  city  are  built  entirely  of  stone,  causing  the  homes 
to  look  much  more  like  fortresses  than  dwellings. 
Some  of  the  churches  are  fine  edifices,  and  the  arch- 
itecture, although  of  the  earliest  type,  is  still  beau- 
tiful and  majestic. 

The  markets  are  also  excellent,  being  conducted  in 
the  neatest  manner  and  supplied  with  the  finest 
fruits  and  vegetables.  In  the  new  part  of  the  city 
are  several  large  hotels,  a  fine  opera  house,  and  a 
long  line  of  bathing  pavilions,  which  are  models  of 
neatness,  besides  beautiful  residences  built  in  the 
most  modern  style.  The  city  is  the  watering-place 
of  the  wealthy  families  of  Paris,  snd  during  the 
season  it  presents  a  most  picturesque  and  animated 
scene  of  beauty  and  wealth,  both  of  which  are  dis- 
played in  a  most  lavish  manner. 

As  the  season  was  at  its  height  when  the  Moul- 
tons  arrived,  they  were  glad  to  find  that  a  few  days 
would  intervene  before  the  sailing  of  their  ship, 
which  they  enjoyed  in  climbing  over  the  fortifica- 


178  THESINBADMIl.'ES: 

tions,  gazing  at  the  thousands  of  bathers,  dressed 
in  the  most  brilliant  of  colors,  either  sporting  in  the 
surf  or  reclining  in  the  comfortable  sedan  chairs, — 
a  luxury  which  the  average  American  has  never  en- 
joyed, nor  is  he  liable  to,  as  they  are  altogether  too 
unwieldy  for  a  Yankee  to  think  of  moving  about, 
and  as  he  is  generally  too  independent  to  have  ser- 
vants assist  him,  they  will  probably  remain,  to  him, 
an  unsolved  mystery. 

The  marine  view  from  the  boulevard  is  one  of 
the  grandest,  as  the  straits  are  covered  with  all  kinds 
of  craft,  from  the  hundreds  of  black-sailed  fishing 
boats,  hurrying  home  from  a  successful  cruise  or 
speeding  away  in  the  gathering  gloom,  bearing  the 
hopes  and  prayers  of  wives  and  sweethearts,  to  the 
great  ocean  steamers  which  are  bearing  their  prec- 
ious loads  of  human  freight,  numbered  by  hundreds 
and  thousands,  far  from  their  homes,  or  bringing 
wandering  children  back  to  the  parental  roof  and 
the  arms  of  loved  ones. 

Here,  too,  are  hundreds  of  slaughter  houses,  which 
flank  the  sea,  in  which  are  manufactured  in  great 
quantities  the  delicious  sausage  which  bears  the 
city's  name,  and  is  eaten  by  all  the  world,  and  which, 
like  its  noble  creator,  "is  fearfully  and  wonderfully 
made." 

It  is  morning,  and  at  the  rooms  of  the  Moultons 
all  is  confusion.  Packages  and  bundles  are  con- 
stantly arriving,  and  all  must  be  packed  and  in  readi- 
ness for  the  baggageman,  who  is  to  call  for  them 
soon  after  dinner.  Mr.  Moulton  and  Robert  find 
their  hands  full,  and  are  rushing  about  re-packing 
boxes  and  securing  trunks  and  valises.  Alice  and 
her  mother  are  kept  busy  attending  to  the  invoices 


A      TALE     OF      THE     ROCKIES  1/9 

and  seeing  that  all  of  their  purchases  have  arrived, 
while  the  children  are  in  the  market  selecting  fruit 
for  the  voyage,  which  may  be  very  acceptable  to 
those  who  will  suffer  from  sea-sickness. 

Just  as  dinner  is  announced  the  last  package  is 
labled  and  sent  to  the  quay,  where  they  are  to  be 
stowed  in  the  hold  of  the  lighter,  which  is  to  meet 
the  great  ship  as  it  comes  down  the  channel.  The 
ship  is  expected  in  the  evening,  but  a  dispatch  is 
received  from  the  company's  office  announcing  that, 
owing  to  a  dense  fog  which  has  hung  over  the  North 
Sea  all  day,  their  ship  has  not  yet  passed  Calais 
Point,  and  that  it  will  probably  be  late  at  night  be- 
fore it  will  reach  the  port. 

After  partaking  of  their  last  meal  upon  the  land, 
the  Moultons  return  to  the  quay  and  gaze  out  upon 
the  broad  expanse  of  water,  where  "The  stately 
ships  go  on  to  their  haven  under  the  hill,"  and  as 
they  recall  those  touching  lines  from  Tennyson  they 
almost  seem  to  grasp  the  inspiration  which  caused 
him  to  write  them.  As  darkness  settles  over  the 
scene  the  wind  begins  to  rise  and  a  dismal  rain  sets 
in,  which  causes  the  hours  to  drag  heavily,  and  they 
begin  to  wish  for  the  cozy  berths  and  welcome  lights 
of  the  great  steamship  which  is  lingering  some- 
where out  in  the  darkness.  Although  they  have 
enjoyed  their  rambles  very  much,  the  thought  of 
home  and  friends  makes  them  somewhat  impatient 
for  its  appearance. 

Hours  drag  by  on  leaden  wings,  and  long  after 
they  have  become  tired  of  waiting  they  are  ordered 
to  go  aboard  the  lighter,  and  the  little  craft  makes 
out  of  her  docks  into  the  great  ocean  in  search  of 
the  steamer  which  is  supposed  to  be  in  waiting 


l8o  THE      SINBAD      MINES: 

somewhere  in  the  impenetrable  mist  which  has  set- 
tled down  on  all  sides,  and  as  the  Channel  is  very 
rough,  the  small  boat  is  pitched  about  in  a  fearful 
manner,  and  as  it  has  become  exceedingly  dark,  it 
is  difficult  for  Robert  and  Mr.  Moulton  to  prevent 
the  children  from  being  thrown  against  the  gun- 
wale of  the  boat,  or  even  into  the  sea.  It  seems 
almost  a  hopeless  task  for  the  pilot  to  make  out  the 
location  of  the  ship,  as  the  wind  has  risen  to  a  gale, 
and  the  darkness  has  become  so  dense  that  lights 
but  a  short  distance  away  would  not  be  discernible. 

Just  as  the  captain  of  the  lighter  is  about  to  give 
up  the  search,  the  sound  of  a  fog  whistle  is  heard 
in  the  distance.  This  is  recognized  as  a  signal  for 
them,  and  a  few  minutes  later  a  long  row  of  port 
lights  is  dimly  seen  a  short  distance  ahead,  and  they 
are  soon  lashed  alongside  the  great  floating  palace 
which  looms  up  in  the  night  like  some  huge  lev- 
iathan swarming  with  lilliputian  life.  All  are  soon 
safely  aboard,  and  after  considerable  delay  Robert 
succeeds  in  getting  their  baggage  booked  and  stored 
away,  after  which  they  retire  to  their  state-rooms 
and  are  soon  wrapped  in  slumber. 

The  night  passes  so  quickly  that  it  seems  to  Rob- 
ert he  has  but  just  retired  when  it  is  morning,  and 
making  a  hasty  toilet,  he  hastens  to  the  deck  to  find 
it  deserted.  The  sun  is  just  rising  from  its  watery 
couch,  and  it  is  surrounded  with  a  halo  of  haze  and 
banks  of  fleecy  clouds,  which  betoken  the  near  ap- 
proach of  a  storm.  In  the  west  may  be  seen  great 
masses  of  dark  clouds  which,  even  at  that  distance, 
produce  a  heavy  swell,  causing  the  ship  to  roll 
with  a  slow,  heavy  motion,  as  if  she  already  realized 


A      TALE      OF      THE      ROCKIES  l8l 

the  need  of  nerving  herself  for  the  approaching  con- 
test. 

Storm  petrels  are  hovering  about  the  masthead, 
while  numbers  of  sea-gulls  are  circling  about  with 
a  frightened  air,  uttering  shrill  notes  as  though 
in  warning  of  approaching  danger.  Great  schools 
of  dolphins  and  porpoises  are  sporting  through  the 
crest  of  the  waves  and  plunging  about  in  the  most 
frolicsome  manner,  evidently  greatly  enjoying  the 
sport. 

Officers  are  on  the  alert  for  any  weakened  cord- 
age or  other  needed  repairs,  and  are  giving  orders 
in  regard  to  furling  of  sails,  which  are  promptly 
executed  by  the  nimble  tars,  who  are  skipping  about 
through  the  top  in  the  most  fearless  manner.  Life- 
boats are  supplied  with  fresh  casks  of  water  and 
large  drums  of  dry  bread — everything  is  done  to 
prepare  for  any  emergency. 

The  breakfast  gong  sounds  and  Robert  goes  be- 
low, to  find  Alice  and  her  father  at  breakfast,  the 
remainder  of  the  company  not  yet  having  arisen, 
owing  to  the  fact  that  they  had  been  out  so  late  the 
previous  night.  The  remainder  of  the  passengers 
are  also  enjoying  the  morning  by  a  late  nap,  which 
they  very  much  need  after  the  severe  mental  strain 
to  which  they  have  been  subjected  for  the  past  two 
weeks  in  traveling  and  sightseeing. 

As  the  day  advances  the  passengers  reach  the  deck, 
to  find  a  heavy  sea  on,  which  drenches  the  deck  with 
great  volumes  of  water  so  frequently  as  to  render 
promenading  almost  equal  to  a  full  bath.  This  has 
the  effect  of  soon  forcing  all  hands  to  the  saloons 
and  cabins,  where  the  day  is  spent  in  relating  inci- 
dents of  travel  and  exchanging  bits  of  bric-a-brac 


182 


THE      SINBAD      MINES: 


which  have  been  collected  from  many  foreign  shores, 
while  in  the  smoker's  cabin  some  traveler  is  relating 
the  latest  anecdote,  probably  at  the  expense  of  a 
most  interested  listener,  while  the  greater  part  of 
the  enjoyment  is  had  by  the  on-lookers. 

The  evening's  entertainment  is  entered  into  with 
unusual  zest,  the  grand  saloon  being  crowded  to  its 
utmost,  and  although  it  requires  the  assistance  of 
several  gentlemen  for  the  performer  to  maintain 
her  position  at  the  piano,  she  succeeds  in  rendering 
some  very  creditable  music.  At  its  conclusion  Rob- 
ert escorts  Miss  Alice  to  the  instrument,  when  she 
accompanies  him  in  rendering  the  following  selec- 
tion : 

ONLY  A  DREAM  OF  LONG  AGO. 

I  am  dreaming  to-night  of  my  childhood's  happy  home ; 

Of  its  waving  fields  and  meadows,  through  which  we  used  to 

roam, 

Where  the  daisies  nodded  gaily  beside  the  dancing  stream; 
I  can  smell  their  fragrant  odors ;  I  can  see  them  in  my  dream. 

Chorus: 

Only  a  scene  from  my  childhood's  happy  days — 
Only  a  chord  from  those  many  joyous  lays — 
Only  a  name  that  I  used  so  well  to  know — 
Only  a  dream  of  long,  long  ago! 

I  am  dreaming  to-night  of  the  songs  we  used  to  sing 

With   the   birds   among  the  branches   in   the   early   morn   of 

spring, 
When  they  filled  the  air  with  music  from  their  tiny  golden 

throats ; — 
I  can  hear  those  echoes  ringing;  I  can  hear  their  silv'ry  notes. 

I  am  dreaming  to-night  of  an  angel's  smiling  face, 
As  she  pressed  me  to  her  bosom  in  a  mother's  fond  embrace ; 
I  can  hear  her  treasured  blessing  as  I  heard  it  oft  for  years ; 
I  can  see  her  smiling  on  me,  even  through  my  falling  tears. 


A      TALE      OF      THE      ROCKIES  13 

Readings,  recitations  and  speeches  were  the 
further  order  of  exercises,  and  the  evening  passed 
swiftly  by  until  the  sound  of  the  ship's  bell  was 
heard  striking  the  first  quarter  of  the  first  watch, 
reminding  them  that  the  wee  small  hours  had  ar- 
rived, when  they  repaired  to  their  berths  and  were 
soon  lost  in  dreams  which  strangely  commingled 
the  sacred  echoes  of  Westminster  Abbey  and  the 
frolicsome  mirth  of  the  French  saloon. 

During  the  night  the  storm  increases,  and  the 
Moultons  as  well  as  other  passengers  are  deprived 
of  their  usual  morning  promenade.  Alice  is,  how- 
ever, so  anxious  to  see  the  storm  that  Robert  and 
Charles,  after  gaining  permission,  succeeded  in  find- 
ing a  protected  spot  on  the  leeward  side  of  the  after- 
cabin,  to  which  she  is  assisted.  Upon  reaching  it 
they  are  in  a  position  to  view  the  wild  beauties  of 
a  storm  at  sea. 

On  the  horizon  may  be  seen  several  barks,  their 
masts  inclined  by  the  strain  of  the  blast,  their  spars 
nearly  bare  of  sails,  scudding  along  before  the 
storm,  or  with  sails  partly  reefed  and  cut  to  the  wind, 
beating  to  quarters  trying  to  advance  against  the 
storm,  or  at  least  to  hold  their  own  in  its  face.  The 
waves  have  increased  to  a  prodigious  size  and  are 
chasing  each  other  across  the  sea  with  frightful 
rapidity,  each  succeeding  crest  seemingly  trying  to 
overreach  its  predecessor. 

An  occasional  gleam  of  sunlight  struggles  through 
a  rift  in  the  clouds  and  lights  up  the  wild  scene  with 
a  strange  and  lurid  glow,  which  is  caught  up  by  the 
spray  and  lifted  along  the  crest  of  the  waves,  draw- 
ing a  strange  contrast  with  the  deep  and  dark  cav- 
erns between  them.  The  sound  of  the  wind  is  om- 


THE      SINBAD      MINES 


nious,  and  the  gigantic  blows  which  are  repeatedly 
dealt  against  the  sides  of  the  ship  by  the  waves 
make  her  tremble  from  stem  to  stern,  and  send  her. 
over  so  that  her  great  spars  are  frequently  dipped 
into  the  foamy  brine. 

Few  of  the  passengers  leave  their  berths,  as  it  is 
unsafe  to  do  so,  especially  for  ladies  and  children, 
as  they  would  be  almost  certain  to  be  thrown  from 
their  feet  against  the  furniture  or  walls  of  the  state- 
rooms. Refreshments  are  served  in  their  apart- 
ments, crockery  and  glassware  being  broken  in  the 
most  profligate  manner. 

As  the  afternoon  advances  the  storm  increases, 
and  huge  masses  of  black  clouds  fill  the  western  sky, 
while  distant  thunder  adds  to  the  terror  of  the  aspect. 
The  engines  are  working  at  forced  speed  in  order  to 
keep  her  head  to  the  wind  and  lessen  the  terrible 
oscillations  caused  by  the  waves  striking  her  bow 
quartering.  Darkness  settles  over  the  wild  scene 
long  before  sunset,  and  blinding  flashes  of  lightning 
are  hurled  athwart  the  murky  sky,  -frequently  strik- 
ing the  steel  cordage  and  descending  to  the  apart- 
ments below,  lighting  up  the  scene  of  confusion 
with  a  dazzling  and  unearthly  glow. 

As  night  comes  on  two  of  the  most  sturdy  sea- 
men are  sent  to  the  "crow's  nest,"  each  supplied 
with  some  dried  meat  and  hard  bread,  where  they 
are  securely  lashed  to  their  dangerous  position  half 
way  up  the  mast,  to  be  continually  jerked  and  swung 
about  in  the  most  terrible  manner;  at  one  moment 
being  thrown  over  to  one  side  so  that  they  are  nearly 
in  contact  with  the  waves,  and  the  next  instant 
swung  through  the  arc  of  nearly  half  a  circle  to  the 


A      TALE      OF      THE      ROCKIES  185 

opposite  side,  with  not  a  moment's  rest  or  the  hope 
of  relief  for  at  least  the  next  twenty-four  hours. 

They  have  volunteered  for  the  position,  however, 
knowing  full  well  that  they  must  remain  until  the 
storm  subsides,  as  it  will  be  impossible  for  anyone 
to  reach  them  after  the  sea  rises,  as  it  soon  must  do 
under  the  terrific  force  of  the  present  hurricane. 
Through  all  the  watchful  hours  of  the  terrible  night 
their  brave  voices  are  heard  at  every  quarter-hour 
ringing  out  over  the  uproar  of  the  tempest :  "All 
is  well!" 

As  the  waves  increase  in  size  the  vessel  fairly 
stands  on  her  beam's  end,  and  as  she  pitches  over  the 
crest  of  each  receding  wave,  her  propeller  being 
raised  from  the  water,  the  resistance  is  withdrawn, 
and  the  engines  being  relieved  of  their  load,  the 
shaft  is  driven  with  such  tremendous  rapidity  that 
it  shakes  her  entire  framework  as  though  she  was 
in  the  throes  of  a  terrible  chill.  This,  of  course, 
lessens  her  progress,  when  she  falls  off  and  is  in 
imminent  danger  of  rolling  completely  over,  when 
her  screw  is  again  immersed  in  the  passing  wave 
as  the  ship  sinks  into  the  trough  of  the  sea,  when 
she  gradually  rights  herself,  only  to  repeat  this 
maneuver  again  and  again. 

About  midnight,  as  the  Moultons  lie  in  their 
berths,  the  doors  of  which  open  into  a  small  draw- 
ing-room, momentarily  expecting  some  terrible  ac- 
cident, suddenly  the  port  whistle  sends  forth  a  deaf- 
ening blast,  which  Robert  recognizes  as  a  signal  to 
some  passing  vessel.  Straining  his  ears,  he  hears  a 
faint  answer  from  the  distance.  Again  the  salute 
and  the  answer  a  little  louder  than  before.  The 
signals  are  repeated  at  short  intervals  until  it  seems 


186  THE      SINBAD      MINES: 

as  though  the  approaching  ship  must  be  directly  in 
front  of  them.  When  all  at  once  their  cabin  is 
flooded  with  light,  and  a  long  row  of  brilliantly  il- 
luminated ports  passes  them  almost  with  the  velocity 
of  an  express  train,  and  a  receding  salute  assures 
them  that  the  danger  is  past. 

During  the  excitement  Mr.  Moulton,  Charles  and 
Robert  make  their  way  to  the  drawing-room,  where 
they  stand  awaiting  the  expected  shock,  endeavor- 
ing to  steady  themselves  by  the  assistance  of  the 
railing  which  extends  around  it.  The  thought  of 
what  might  have  been  if  a  collision  had  taken  place 
causes  the  cold  sweat  to  stand  out  upon  their  fore- 
heads, as  they  realize  that  the  dangers  of  a  storm  at 
sea  are  many,  and  that  no  amount  of  care  on  the 
part  of  the  officers  and  crew  can  possibly  insure  the 
avoidance  of  them  all. 

The  two  men  would  not  have  been  so  much  con- 
cerned about  their  own  positions  had  they  been  alone, 
but  their  anxiety  was  for  the  women  and  children, 
whom  they  felt  would  be  a  terrible  sacrifice  should 
they  be  lost.  If  they  had  only  been  safe  on  the  land 
there  would  have  been  very  little  anxiety  felt  by  the 
men,  who  had  met  danger  in  many  forms,  but  know- 
ing as  they  did  that  a  life-boat  could  not  live  a  mo- 
ment in  the  terrible  sea  which  was  running  moun- 
tain high,  and  that  all  would  be  beyond  human  aid, 
they  fervently  implored  the  omnipotent  care  of  "Him 
who  stilled  the  waves  of  Galilee,"  believing  that  He 
would  care  for  His  helpless  children  on  the  sea  as 
well  as  on  the  land. 

Feeling  somewhat  comforted,  Mr.  Moulton  re- 
turned to  his  state-room,  when  Matie  extended  her 
hand  over  the  railing  of  the  bunk  and  asked  her 


A      TALE     OF     THE      ROCKIES  187 

father  if  he  was  not  afraid  their  boat  was  going  to 
drown,  to  which  Mr.  Moulton  replied  that  he  hoped 
not,  adding  that  she  had  better  go  to  sleep;  that 
God  was  just  as  able  to  take  care  of  them  on  the 
ocean  as  He  was  at  their  own  home,  after  which 
he  adjusted  the  broad  straps  which  held  her  in  the 
berth  and  she  went  quietly  to  sleep. 

Mr.  Moulton  then  secured  some  of  the  hand- 
bags, which  had  become  loosened  from  their  po- 
sition and  were  being  thrown  about  the  room  by  the 
violence  of  the  pitching  ship,  and  observing  that  all 
the  family  were  as  comfortable  as  possible  under 
the  circumstances,  he  braced  himself  in  a  corner  and 
waited  for  the  hours  to  pass. 

Outside  the  raging  storm  was  something  terrible 
to  listen  to,  as  the  great  waves  swept  the  deck,  carry- 
ing pieces  of  freight  and  broken  wreckage  with  it, 
which  were  thrown  with  great  violence  from  one 
side  to  the  other  as  the  ship  labored  in  the  trough 
of  the  sea,  while  its  mountain  waves  beat  against 
her  iron  ribs  until  her  entire  form  trembled  and 
groaned  as  though  enduring  the  most  terrible  agony. 
It  seemed  impossible  to  the  watchers  that  any  crea- 
tion of  man  could  long  endure  the  awful  strain  to 
which  the  good  ship  was  continually  exposed,  and 
that  it  was  only  a  matter  of  a  little  time  when  her 
brave  efforts  must  cease  and  the  lives  of  all  on  board 
go  out  in  the  darkness,  while  their  bodies  sank  be- 
neath the  waves. 

Down  in  the  great  furnace  room  it  required  a 
double  force  of  heavers  to  furnish  the  many  fires 
with  sufficient  coal,  as  they  were  working  under  a 
great  disadvantage,  many  of  them  suffering  with 
severe  burns  or  contusions  to  which  they  were  con- 


IOO  THE      SINBAD      MINES: 

tinually  subjected  by  the  rolling  of  the  ship,  hurling 
them  against  the  hot  furnace  doors  or  in  the  way 
of  shovels  in  the  hands  of  their  comrades,  who,  un- 
able to  maintain  their  balance,  often  missed  their 
aim  and  hit  them  instead,  as  only  about  one  shovel 
of  coal  out  of  three  could  be  landed  in  the  fire,  and 
even  these  results  required  the  utmost  care  and  per- 
severance. 

The  men  did  not  complain,  however,  as  long  as 
they  were  able  to  work  at  all,  for  well  they  knew 
that  if  the  steam  was  allowed  to  go  down  the  great 
engines  would  cease  their  mighty  efforts,  when  the 
ship  would  become  unmanageable  and  all  on  board 
must  go  to  the  bottom.  But  as  it  required  the  hand- 
ling of  more  than  one  hundred  tons  of  coal  every 
twenty-four  hours  to  keep  her  great  heart  beating 
at  its  maximum  speed,  it  was  a  task  which,  under 
the  circumstances,  was  almost  impossible  to  ac- 
complish. 

Every  little  while  a  disabled  heaver  would  be 
hoisted  from  the  pit  and  conveyed  to  the  hospital, 
where  his  wounds  were  dressed,  while  another  took 
his  place  in  front  of  the  fires,  where  the  heat  is  so 
intense  that  it  is  impossible  to  handle  the  shovels 
or  other  instruments  without  fire-proof  gloves. 
Dressed  in  nothing  but  overalls,  leathern  apron  and 
heavy  boots,  he  exerts  himself  to  the  utmost  for 
four  long  hours,  \vhen  he  is  relieved,  looking  for  all 
the  world  like  a  crisp  and  blackened  corpse,  so  cov- 
ered is  he  with  coal,  while  the  many  burns  upon  his 
brawny  arms  give  off  the  sickening  odor  of  burning 
flesh. 

During  his  watch  he  has  probably  drunk  three  or 
four  gallons  of  sour  whey,  made  from  oatmeal  and 


A      TALE      OF      THE      ROCKIES  189 

water,  and  the  perspiration  has  run  in  streams  from 
all  parts  of  his  body.  Although  he  is  bleeding  and 
exhausted,  he  makes  no  complaint,  but  is  again 
ready  to  repeat  his  former  experience  at  the  end  of 
his  rest. 

Truly,  the  great  furnace  room  of  an  ocean  steamer 
during  a  storm  is  the  most  awful  place  to  which 
any  human  being  willingly  consigns  himself,  and 
my  admiration  for  those  down  in  that  fiery  hell  is 
practically  unbounded,  for  if  there  is  anyone  who 
willingly  offers  his  life  for  others  it  is  he,  as  in  the 
event  of  an  accident,  of  all  on  board,  he  stands  the 
least  chance  of  being  saved.  He  is  the  last  to  know 
of  it,  probably  never  learning  the  particulars,  as  the 
first  warning  that  will  come  to  him  will  be  the  roar 
of  the  water  as  it  rushes  down  the  hatchways  as  the 
ship  plunges  to  the  bottom.  Days  afterward,  when 
Ro1)ert  repeated  what  he  had  seen  below  deck  dur- 
ing the  storm,  Mrs.  Moulton  exclaimed : 

"May  God  grant  to  those  who  have  so  freely 
risked  their  lives  for  us  a  bountiful  reward  from 
Him  who  gave  His  own  life  for  His  enemies!" 

To  which  Alice  responded  a  fervent  "Amen." 

All  members  of  the  party,  being  thoroughly  tired 
out,  fell  into  a  troubled  sleep,  to  be  awakened  at 
short  intervals  by  the  shouts  of  the  officers  or  the 
terrible  crash  of  a  broken  spar  as  it  descended  upon 
the  deck.  So  night  wears  on  and  morning  finally 
comes,  with  its  cold,  grey  light,  which  is  more  dis- 
mal, if  possible,  than  the  darkness,  revealing  as  it 
does  the  terrors  of  the  storm  more  clearly.  The 
day  is  passed  in  the  same  manner  as  the  night — in 
their  berths — with  little  food  and  less  desire  for  it, 
as  the  nervous  strain  has  exhausted  their  energies 


IQO  THE      SINBAD      MINES: 

to  such  an  extent  that  a  fever  is  induced,  which  is 
accompanied  by  a  severe  headache. 

It  is  learned  that  during  the  night  all  of  the  star- 
board boats  were  washed  away,  and  that  consid- 
erable damage  has  been  done  to  the  upper  works, 
one  side  of  the  bridge  having  been  swept  from  its 
position.  Calculations  made  by  the  officers  showed 
that  the  forced  efforts  of  the  engines,  the  result  of 
a  double  gang  of  heavers,  the  watchful  care  of  the 
officers,  and  the  prompt  action  of  the  crew  had 
succeeded  in  keeping  the  ship  nearly  in  its  course 
and  prevented  it  from  losing  ground ;  in  fact,  it  had 
advanced  some  twenty-five  miles  during  the  past 
twenty-four  hours,  and  that  in  the  face  of  a  most  ter- 
rible hurricane — the  worst  that  had  been  encount- 
ered for  many  years. 

The  air  below  deck  is  becoming  almost  stifling,  as 
the  ports  have  been  closed  for  the  last  two  days,  and 
it  seems  to  the  Moultons  that  they  must  have  air, 
but  as  the  passage-ways  to  the  deck  have  been  bar- 
ricaded and  bolted  to  keep  out  the  waves,  they  have 
to  content  themselves  as  best  they  may  with  the 
promise  of  better  weather  on  the  morrow,  which 
Robert  assures  them  will  surely  come,  as  he  is  in- 
formed by  the  purser  that  the  barometer  in  the  fore- 
castle is  rapidly  rising,  showing  that  the  storm- 
center  has  been  passed. 

With  the  hope  that  they  will  again  be  permitted 
to  breathe  the  fresh  air  another  night  passes,  and 
as  the  morning  hours  approach  the  storm  begins 
to  subside.  When  daylight  dawns  the  wind  veers 
to  the  northwest,  which  rapidly  reduces  the  waves 
in  size,  so  that  by  dinner  time  they  are  allowed  to 
open  the  ports  to  the  leeward  and  enjoy  the  fresh 


A      TALE     OF     THE     ROCKIES  IQI 

sea  breeze, — a  luxury  which  cannot  be  appreciated 
unless  one  has  been  confined  below  decks  for  sev- 
eral days. 

The  sea  now  rapidly  goes  down,  and  by  early  even- 
ing the  huge  oak  doors  are  removed  from  the  pas- 
sage-ways and  they  are  once  more  allowed  to  gather 
on  the  leeward  side  and  witness  a  glorious  sunset 
which,  although  there  is  a  stiff  gale  blowing,  gives 
promise  of  fair  weather. 

The  morrow  is  all  that  the  most  sanguine  minds 
have  painted  it,  and  it  is  welcomed  by  the  weary, 
sea-sick  passengers  with  feelings  of  true  thankful- 
ness. Faded  cheeks  begin  to  flush  again,  while  hope 
is  taking  the  place  of  despair  on  the  care-worn  faces 
of  those  who  had  nearly  given  up  hope. 

At  breakfast  a  sumptuous  meal  is  partaken  of 
with  a  zest  that  is  accelerated  by  an  almost  contin- 
uous fast  for  the  past  three  days.  The  morning  is 
spent  in  searching  the  horizon  for  wrecks,  several 
of  which  are  made  out,  but  as  there  are  no  signs  of 
life  about  them  the  ship  keeps  on  its  course.  Soon 
after  dinner  they  are  sighted  by  a  pilot  who  has  been 
looking  for  them  for  the  last  twenty-four  hours. 
He  has  been  blown  out  to  sea  by  the  storm,  hundreds 
of  miles  from  his  usual  position,  but  the  passengers 
are  hardly  sorry,  as  they  are  very  glad  to  see  him 
and  his  tiny  boat,  which  "lays  to"  nearly  in  front 
of  the  great  ship,  which  is  making  toward  it  at  the 
rate  of  over  eighteen  miles  an  hour,  and  it  seems  as 
though  the  tiny  craft  must  be  run  down. 

But  the  pilot  has  calculated  his  distance  to  a 
nicety,  and  just  before  they  reach  him  his  gig  is 
dropped  off  and  floats  alongside,  when  a  rope  ladder 
is  thrown  from  the  gunwhale,  and  as  it  glides  by  his 


IQ2  THE      SINBAD      MINES: 

boat  is  seized  by  the  hearty  seamen,  while  the  pilot 
scrambles  to  the  deck.  He  is  met  at  the  railing 
by  the  captain,  who  greets  him  with  a  hearty  wel- 
come, after  which  he  distributes  papers  to  the  anx- 
ious passengers  and  recites  his  experience  with  the 
storm,  which  he  has  been  weathering  for  the  past 
week,  adding  that  the  loss  of  life  must  have  been 
great,  and  that  the  hurricane  was  one  of  the  most 
violent  he  had  ever  witnessed. 

When  asked  by  one  of  the  ladies  if  he  was  not 
afraid  to  be  out  in  such  a  storm  in  so  small  a  boat, 
he  replied  that  he  would  rather  risk  his  life  in  a 
good  pilot  boat  than  on  the  best  steamship  which 
ever  plowed  the  waves  of  the  Atlantic,  as  he  be- 
lieved he  would  be  in  much  less  danger;  that  he 
often  pitied  those  who  were  aboard  the  great  ships, 
for  if  any  accident  should  happen  to  them  there 
was  little  probability  of  anyone  living  to  tell  the 
tale,  as  they  must  immediately  go  to  the  bottom  with 
all  on  board,  while  a  pilot  boat  would  float  just  as 
well  after  being  capsized  as  before,  from  the  fact 
that  the  large  air  chambers  with  which  it  is  provided 
render  it  very  buoyant,  while  the  little  crew  might 
be  able  to  keep  afloat  and  fairly  comfortable  until 
they  were  picked  up  after  the  storm  had  subsided, 
or  they  might  even  right  themselves  and  reach  port 
but  little  the  worse  for  their  ducking. 

At  supper  the  tables  are  loaded  with  the  best  the 
locker  contains,  while  a  great  silver  punch  bowl  is 
presided  over  by  the  genial  captain,  whose  face 
beams  with  pleasure  as  he  serves  the  sparkling  nec- 
tar to  his  many  happy  guests. 

The  succeeding  days  pass  swiftly  by,  and  early 
on  the  morning  of  the  twelfth  day  out  from  port 


A      TALE      OF      THE      ROCKIES  IQ3 

several  land  birds  alight  in  the  rigging,  apprising 
them  of  their  near  approach  to  their  native  land. 
As  they  strain  their  eyes  westward  there  slowly 
arises  from  the  water  line  what  at  first  appears  a 
bank  of  clouds,  but  which  soon  takes  the  form  of 
blue  hills,  wreathed  in  a  purple  haze,  at  the  lower 
margin  of  which  can  be  made  out  the  great  hotels 
at  Far  Rockaway  and  Coney  Island. 

As  the  beautiful  Stars  and  Stripes  are  unfurled 
from  the  masthead,  which  has  until  this  time  been 
carrying  the  flag  of  Holland,  loud  cheers  arise  from 
the  upper  decks,  which  are  joined  in  by  hundreds  of 
emigrants  in  the  steerage  as  heartily  as  by  the  Amer- 
icans, although  but  few  of  them  ever  saw  the  coun- 
try to  which  they  are  so  anxious  to  swear  allegiance. 
It  is  a  very  touching  sight  to  the  Moultons  to  see 
these  poor  people,  who  have  left  the  fatherland  of 
their  birth,  even  before  they  know  anything  of  its 
advantages,  so  anxious  to  become  citizens  of  this, 
the  most  glorious  upon  which  the  sun  shines,  and  it 
makes  the  heart  of  every  true  American  beat  with 
pride  as  he  compares  the  advantages  of  his  own 
country  with  those  of  any  other,  either  of  the  past 
or  present. 

While  there  is  a  great  deal  to  be  learned  from 
visiting  the  old  world,  many  of  the  lessons  taught 
are  upon  the  dark  side  of  the  picture.  Especially  is 
this  true  of  the  poorer  classes,  as  many  of  the  mag- 
nificent edifices,  churches  and  monuments  which 
adorn  the  great  cities  of  the  old  world  are  the  direct 
result  of  the  crushing  taxation  of  the  poor.  There 
is  no  country  where  personal  effort  and  individual 
worth  are  recognized  as  they  are  here.  Individuals 
there  are  born  to  their  heritage,  be  it  high  or  low, 
13 


194  THE      SIN  BAD      MINES: 

and  it  is  absolutely  impossible  for  the  lower  classes 
to  better  their  condition. 

Here  in  America,  we  make  our  own  position  in 
life  very  nearly  as  we  like,  creating  opportunities  if 
need  be,  and  there  is  no  gift  within  the  power  of  the 
people  that  the  most  humble  may  not  aspire  to. 
There  is  but  one  country  upon  the  whole  green  earth 
where  man  is  born  with  all  the  advantages,  privi- 
leges and  possibilities  of  the  most  exalted  citizen- 
ship within  his  reach,  which  the  great  Creator  in- 
tended should  be  the  rightful  heritage  of  man,  and 
that  is  the  land  which,  under  the  protection  of  its 
loyal  sons  and  daughters,  we  are  proud  to  call  "our 
own  America!" 

They  soon  arrive  at  quarantine,  but  as  they  show 
a  clean  bill  of  health  they  are  not  detained,  and  early 
in  the  evening  their  good  ship  reaches  its  wharf, 
where  they  again  set  foot  on  "terra  firma,"  thankful 
that  the  Great  Father  has  cared  for  His  wandering 
children,  and  that  they  are  once  more  privileged  to 
enjoy  the  manifold  blessings  which  are  associated 
with,  and  in  the  aggregate  constitute,  the  most  sa- 
cred of  all  places,  to  the  American  at  least — home! 

HOME 

Home !     'Tis   the   fairest  heaven  under  the  vaulted   sky, 
Filled  with  the  rarest  treasures — joys  that  can  never  die; 
Blessings  that  naught  but  Heaven  can  ever  again  replace ; 
Of  love  that  was  born  in  Eden  ;  of  hate,  not  the  slightest  trace. 

There  are  the  burdens  lifted,  for  peace  is  dwelling  there : 
Laughter  and  song  the  whole  day  long;  at  evening  the  thank- 
ful prayer ; 

Rest  from  the  toil  and  trials ;  a  smiling  face  at  the  door. 
Home — what  a  place  to  worship !     May  we  love  it  evermore. 


A      TALE      OF      THE      ROCKIES  IQ5 

In  front  of  the  blazing  fagots,  with  our  babies  upon  our  knee, 
When  the  dusk  of  the  evening  settles  over  the  fading  lee, 
We  tell  them  childish  stories  or  hear  their  simple  tales, 
Till  the  flame  dies  out  in  the  embers,  and  the  moon  up  the 
heavens   sails. 

Then,  kissing  each  throbbing  temple,  we  carry  them  off  to  bed. 
Where  the  mother  breathes  a  blessing  as  she  soothes  each 

weary  head, 

Beaming  with  fond  devotion  (as  she  leaves  them  side  by  side), 
As  fair  as  in  years  long  vanished,  when  first  she  became  my 

bride. 

Can  Heaven  bestow  more  blessings  as  precious  as  these  I  hold  ? 
Can  honor  or  worldly  pleasure — aye !  fabulous  heaps  of  gold — 
Purchase  the  jewels  I  treasure,  and  leave  me  the  world  to 

roam? 
No !     Not  for  the  wealth  of  Croesus  would  I  sell  my  love  of 

home. 


ig6  THE      SINBAD      MINES: 


CHAPTER    IX 

CALLING  a  'bus,  they  are  driven  to  the 
International  Hotel,  opposite  the  post- 
office,  where  they  retire  early,  greatly 
feeling  the  need  of  rest  after  the  trying  or- 
deal through  which  they  have  passed.  After  din- 
ner the  following  day  Mr.  Moulton  and  Robert  re- 
turn to  the  Custom  House,  and  securing  their  bag- 
gage, have  it  inspected  and  order  it  conveyed  to  the 
Grand  Central  Depot. 

Upon  reaching  the  hotel,  Robert  attempts  to  say 
good-bye  to  his  friends,  as  he  expects  to  leave  them 
and  immediately  start  for  Denver,  but  upon  disclos- 
ing his  plans  they  all  insist  that  he  must  return  with 
them  to  Boston  and  spend  a  few  days  in  their  coun- 
try home  at  Needham,  which  he  finally  agrees  to, 
as  Alice  is  very  anxious  that  he  shall  meet  some  of 
her  friends,  as  well  as  enjoy  the  comfort  of  her  old 
home  for  at  least  a  few  days. 

Securing  tickets  and  staterooms  in  a  Pullman  that 
is  to  make  the  run  to  Boston  over  the  Shore  Line, 
they  reach  the  city  at  an  early  hour  the  next  morn- 
ing in  time  to  connect  with  the  Boston  and  Albany 
for  Needham.  At  the  depot  they  are  met  by  the 
family  coachman,  reaching  the  home  of  the  Moultons 
in  time  for  an  early  dinner. 

Robert  is  delighted  with  the  place — a  mansion 
shaded  with  great  spreading  trees,  situated  in  the 


A      TALE      OF      THE      ROCKIES  IQ7 

midst  of  a  beautiful  lawn  and  commanding  a  fine 
view — the  most  delightful  residence  which  he  has 
ever  seen,  and  it  seems  strange  to  him  that  anyone, 
for  any  consideration,  would  leave  it.  As  he  ex- 
pressed these  thoughts  in  words  to  Miss  Alice,  she 
replied  that  she  was  inclined  to  think  he  was  trying 
to  make  her  repent  of  her  promise  to  accompany 
him  to  the  West,  but  added  that  she  was  willing  to 
forsake  even  her  childhood  home  for  the  happiness 
which  she  hoped  to  enjoy  in  helping  him  to  make 
another  happy  home  for  themselves  and  others,  and 
although  it  might  not  be  as  beautiful  as  the  one  she 
was  to  leave,  it  should  be  one  where  happiness  and 
love  should  dwell,  and  where  they  might  enjoy  the 
association  of  each  other,  together  with  their  friends. 
Whereupon,  seating  himself  by  her  side,  Robert  ex- 
pressed his  deep  love  for  her  in  the  following  beau- 
tiful sentiments,  accompanying  his  voice  with  a 
guitar : 

MY  LOVE  DIVINE 

Before  you  came  to  light  my  way 
My  life  was  dark,  without  one  ray ; 
But  now  your  eyes  are  brighter  far 
Than  all   the  gems  of  India   are ! 

Chorus: 

My  life,  my  hope,  my  love  divine. 
It  is  for  me  those  bright  eyes  shine ! 
Oh !    May  they  not  be  dimmed  by  tears, 
But  brighter  grow  through  all  the  years ! 

Love's  brightest  dreams  are  now  my  own. 
For  life's  dull  cares  from  me  have  flown, 
While  in  my  heart  that  once  was  cold 
Thy  warmest  love   I'll   ever  hold. 

Thy  life  shall  be  one  perfect  day, 
With  love  to  cheer  thee  on  thy  way, 
And    when    the   evening-tide   has    come 
His  love  shall  guide  us  safely  home. 


198  THE      SINBAD      MINES: 

Robert  spent  several  weeks  enjoying  pleasant 
drives  through  the  surrounding  towns  of  Waltham, 
Dedham,  Auburndale  and  Wellsley,  with  an  occas- 
ional excursion  to  some  of  the  many  beaches  for 
which  the  New  England  coast  is  famous.  The  first 
of  these  was  the  most  novel  to  Robert,  as  it  was 
something  out  of  his  former  experience.  Boarding 
the  cars  early  one  morning,  their  party  soon  rolled 
into  the  Boston  and  Albany  depot,  where  they  take 
the  street  cars  to  Row's  wharf.  Here  the  harbor 
boat  "Johns  Hopkins"  is  in  waiting,  ready  to  carry 
the  excursionists  to  Nantasket  beach  by  the  way  of 
Hull  and  Hingham,  popular  resort  hotels.  Reach- 
ing Nantasket,  they  proceed  to  the  pavilion,  and 
leaving  wraps  and  bundles,  they  stroll  down  the 
beach  in  search  of  curious  shells  and  whatever  may 
interest  them,  while  the  children  amuse  themselves 
playing  in  the  white  sand  with  which  the  beach  is 
covered. 

Robert  and  Charles,  after  a  little  consultation, 
conclude  that  it  is  an  opportunity  for  them  to  take  a 
swim  which  should  not  be  lost,  so  getting  the  con- 
sent of  the  ladies  for  a  short  leave  of  absence,  they 
soon  return  equipped  in  bathing  suits.  Mr.  Moul- 
ton  is  somewhat  anxious  about  Robert's  ability  to 
swim  in  that  kind  of  water,  and  he  advises  him  that 
he  had  better  not  venture  out  very  far,  as  he  may 
meet  with  some  accident,  to  which  Robert  replies 
that  he  is  perfectly  at  home  in  the  water;  that  his 
experience  in  swimming  many  mountain  torrents  in 
the  Rockies  has  been  such  that  he  can  certainly  man- 
age himself  in  water  which  is  as  quiet  as  this,  adding, 
however,  that  he  is  obliged  for  the  advice.  His 
friends  are  surprised  and  pleased  to  see  how  power- 


A      TALE      OF      THE      ROCKIES  1 99 

fully  he  swims,  and  that  his  forced  education  in  the 
water  has  been  turned  to  good  account. 

It  is  quite  late  for  dinner  when  they  return,  and 
all  are  beginning  to  feel  the  need  of  refreshments, 
as  they  partook  of  a  hasty  breakfast.  Robert  in- 
quires where  they  are  to  dine,  when  he  is  informed 
by  Alice  that  dinner  is  ready;  that  she  has  an  old 
friend  who  lives  a  little  way  up  the  beach  who  is 
to  provide  them  with  a  regular  Cape  Cod  dinner; 
that  it  is  her  turn  to  do  the  honors,  and  finishes  by 
inviting  them  to  dine  with  her. 

The  invitation  is  quickly  accepted,  and  a  few  min- 
utes' walk  brings  them  to  the  door  of  a  cottage — a 
typical  fisherman's  abode.  The  roof  is  covered  with 
great  fishing  nets,  while  the  beach  in  front  is  strewn 
with  all  kinds  of  implements  used  by  the  toilers  of 
the  sea,  among  which  are  lobster  traps,  oyster  rakes, 
slickers,  and  many  other  articles  which  are  entirely 
new  to  Robert,  besides  several  large  boats  which 
seem  to  him  much  too  heavy  for  one  man  to  manage. 

The  door  is  partially  open,  and  from  within  float 
fragrant  odors  which  cause  the  hungry  excursion- 
ists to  quicken  their  pace.  Alice,  who  is  a  little  in 
front  of  them,  swings  back  the  door,  and  there  be- 
fore them,  spread  on  a  plain  pine  table  covered  with 
white  linen,  is  a  most  tempting  and  fragrant  meal, 
of  which  they  are  invited  to  partake  by  a  motherly 
old  lady,  who  addresses  Alice  as  "my  dear  child," 
adding : 

"I  have  done  the  best  I  could  with  the  short  notice 
you  were  obliged  to  give  me.  However,  James 
happened  to  return  from  his  traps  earlier  than  usual 
this  morning,  and  as  he  had  a  good  catch — for  which 


200  THE      SINBAD      MINES: 

I  am  so  thankful — I  have  nearly  all  that  I 
wished  for." 

Robert  assured  her  that  she  had  all  that  any  reas- 
onable person  ought  to  wish  for,  and  that  it  cer- 
tainly was  the  most  tempting  meal  he  had  ever  sat 
down  to.  As  all  were  very  hungry,  their  conversa- 
tion was  rather  limited  until  their  appetites  had 
been  somewhat  satisfied,  when  Robert  decides  he 
will  just  note  what  is  included  in  the  bill-of-fare  of 
a  Cape  Cod  dinner.  He  finds  it,  in  this  instance,  to 
be  composed  of  the  following:  Clam  chowder  and 
lobster  salad,  broiled  Spanish  mackerel  with  cran- 
berry sauce,  baked  blue  fish,  roasted  razor-back 
clams,  fricaseed  shrimps,  baked  potatoes,  blueberry 
pudding,  coffee  and  iced  milk — all  of  the  very  best, 
and  done  to  a  turn.  After  they  have  eaten  until 
they  are  decidedly  uncomfortable,  they  return  to  the 
boat  and  are  soon  at  their  own  gate,  feeling  that 
they  have  enjoyed  another  day  to  its  utmost  capacity. 

The  days  and  weeks  pass  but  too  quickly,  and 
long  before  Robert  has  finished  his  visit  the  time  of 
his  departure  is  near  at  hand,  and  after  having  been 
promised  by  Mr.  Moulton  that  they  will  meet  him 
in  Denver  by  the  first  of  December,  and  Alice  has 
returned  the  Bible  to  his  care,  insisting  that  as  he 
has  kept  it  so  long  he  will  feel  lonesome  without  it, 
to  which  Robert  readily  assents,  adding  that  when 
he  returns  it  the  next  time  it  will  be  with  the  under- 
standing that  although  he  gives  up  possession  of  the 
book,  he  will  retain  the  giver  as  hostage  for  its  safe 
keeping. 

As  this  is  to  be  the  last  night  that  Robert  will  be 
with  them  for  some  time,  the  whole  family  sit  up 
until  quite  late  discussing  their  future  plans  and  re- 


A      TALE      OF      THE      ROCKIES  201 

hearsing  some  of  the  many  incidents  of  their  travel. 
After  the  rest  of  the  family  have  retired,  Robert  and 
Alice  sit  by  the  flickering  grate  and  build  castles  for 
the  future,  anticipating  the  happiness  which  is  to 
come  to  them  in  their  new  home  in  the  far  West, 
not  heeding  the  hours  which  fly  by  too  swiftly,  until 
they  are  apprised  of  the  approach  of  day,  the  first 
beams  of  which  stream  in  at  the  eastern  window. 

After  partaking  of  a  breakfast  which  is  swallowed 
with  considerable  difficulty,  especially  by  the  lovers, 
and  a  fervent  "God  bless  you!"  from  Mrs.  Moulton, 
the  remainder  of  the  family  accompany  Robert  and 
Charles,  who  has  decided  to  return  with  Robert,  to 
the  depot  where  Mr.  Moulton  bids  them  farewell. 
Alice,  glowing  with  pride  as  she  gazes  upon  her 
lover,  imprints  a  warm  kiss  upon  his  lips  and  bids 
him  au  revoir,  assuring  him  that  they  will  contin- 
ually be  with  him  in  their  thoughts  until  they  meet 
in  their  new  home. 

Then  turning  to  her  brother,  she  admonishes  him 
to  be  careful  of  his  health,  and  to  be  sure  to  follow 
the  advice  of  Robert,  as  he  is  acquainted  with  the 
ways  of  the  people  with  whom  they  will  come  in 
contact,  and  can  consequently  advise  him  properly. 
Charles  replies  that  he  is  only  a  visitor,  and  that  he 
will  try  to  attend  to  his  host's  wishes.  At  this  junc- 
ture the  bell  rings  and  the  two  young  men  board  the 
train,  which  immediately  pulls  out  of  the  depot.  As 
it  rounds  the  curve  they  catch  a  last  sight  of  Mr. 
Moulton  and  Alice,  who  are  still  waving  their  hand- 
kerchiefs to  them  as  the  train  bears  them  rapidly 
from  their  view. 

The  next  morning  finds  them  in  Syracuse,  where 
they  change  cars  for  Cortland,  as  Robert  wishes  to 


2O2  THE      SINBAD      MINES: 

make  his  father  a  short  visit,  as  he  fears  it  may  be 
his  last  opportunity  of  seeing  him,  as  the  old  gen- 
tleman is  rapidly  descending  the  hill  of  life.  When 
they  reach  the  depot  they  decide  to  walk  to  the  farm, 
as  that  will  give  them  a  chance  to  straighten  their 
limbs  and  enjoy  the  beautiful  weather  as  well  as  the 
gorgeous  colors  of  the  woods,  which  have  but  re- 
cently been  touched  by  the  early  frost. 

OCTOBER 

When  winter  breathes  upon  the  summer  air 

And  paints  the  woods  in  colors  rich  and  rare ; 

When  through  the  trees  the  purple  smoke  ascends 

And  to  the  languid  breeze  its  odor  lends ; 

When  from  the  North  the  fowls  come  drifting  South, 

And  all  the  fields  are  seared  with  blighted  drouth; 

When  hurrying  to  the  tropics  far  away, 
Old  Sol  so  promptly  takes  his  wonted  way ; 
And  part  of  day  is  lost  in  lengthened  night, 
Which  glows  with   diamonds  pure   and  bright ; 
When  Boreas  lights  with  flame  the  polar  sky, 
And  through  the  swaying  limbs  the  wind  doth  sigh, 

Dame  Nature  dons  her  leafed  and   faded  cap 
And  goes  to  sleep — a  long  and  peaceful  nap ; — 
Then  o'er  the  hills  a  blanket  soft  is  spread 
Of  glistening  snow,  as  though  to  robe  the  dead. 
The  waning  year  is  fading,  chill  and  sober — 
The  flowers  of  summer  droop; — it  is  October. 

Upon  reaching  the  homestead  Robert  is  very  much 
grieved  to  find  that  his  father  is  suffering  from  a 
severe  cold,  with  a  tendency  to  congestion  of  the 
lungs.  A  physician  is  at  once  called,  and  after  mak- 
ing a  careful  examination,  informs  Robert  that  he 
is  afraid  his  father  has  taken  to  his  bed  for  the  last 
time,  as  there  are  marked  symptoms  of  pneumonia, 
and  that  at  his  advanced  age  there  is  little  hope  of  his 


A      TALE      OF      THE     ROCKIES  203 

recovery.  Whereupon  Robert  decides  to  remain 
with  him  and  soothe  his  journey  to  the  grave  as 
best  he  can,  and  as  the  old  gentleman  does  not 
appear  to  suffer  very  much,  Robert  and  Charles  en- 
tertain him  with  an  account  of  their  travels  abroad, 
to  which  the  sick  man  listens  with  evident  pleasure. 

In  spite  of  all  that  can  be  done  for  him  the  dis- 
ease runs  a  rapid  course,  and  as  Robert  sits  watch- 
ing his  aged  father's  features  as  they  change  under 
the  dull  influence  of  the  pain  from  which  he  is 
suffering,  his  father,  summoning  his  fast-failing 
strength,  inquires  if  he  is  now  really  happy,  having 
succeeded  in  life;  to  which  Robert  replies  that  he 
is  happy,  but  that  it  is  not  the  possession  of  money 
that  makes  him  so. 

Then  he  tells  his  father  of  Alice ;  that  he  has  not 
only  found  her,  but  that  she  has  promised  to  become 
his  wife,  and  that  they  are  to  be  married  on  the  fol- 
lowing Christmas,  adding  that  he  hopes  he  will  Be 
well  enough  to  be  with  them  at  that  time.  Mr. 
Smith  turns  his  eyes  full  upon  his  son  and,  extend- 
ing his  thin,  trembling  hand,  places  it  upon  Robert's 
head,  fervently  saying: 

"God  bless  you,  my  son,  and  may  He  bless  thy 
companion ;  may  your  lives  be  as  happy  throughout 
the  years  to  come  as  is  mine  now,  that  I  know  you 
are  happy  and  I  forgiven.  I  am  tired  now,  and 
want  to  rest."  As  he  seemed  to  be  suffering  for 
breath,  Robert  raised  his  head,  when  he  added : 

"Lay  me  by  the  side  of  mother,  and  sometimes 
come  and  kneel  above  us  as  vou  did  above  her  when 
you  came  home." 

Robert  still  listened,  but  the  voice  had  ceased — his 
father  was  dead. 


2O4  THE      SINBAD      MINES: 

After  the  funeral  was  over,  and  arrangements  had 
been  made  for  the  care  of  the  farm,  which  was  to 
be  kept  in  trust  by  the  aunt  who  had  taken  charge 
of  his  father,  Robert  and  Charles  again  started  for 
the  West,  reaching  Denver  on  a  cold  morning  in  the 
latter  part  of  October  to  find  Jack  at  the  depot,  as  he 
had  learned  through  friends  of  the  company  that 
Robert  was  to  come  in  on  that  train,  and  he  had 
come  down  to  welcome  him  back.  Jack  explained 
that  he  was  called  to  the  city  in  the  interest  of  a 
railroad  scheme  that  was  being  agitated,  of  having 
a  broad  gauge  track  over  the  Divide  into  the  valley 
of  the  Grand,  and  that  it  might  be  extended  to 
Salt  Lake. 

Robert  was  surprised  to  see  how  rapidly  the  city 
at  the  foot  of  the  Rockies  had  grown  during  his 
absence,  and  he  hardly  knew  what  to  make  of  his 
friend's  talk  about  another  railroad,  as  it  seemed 
such  a  short  time  since  the  first  road  was  completed 
that  he  could  not  possibly  conceive  what  they  wanted 
of  another  so  soon.  Jack  told  him  that  things  had 
gone  on  with  such  rapid  strides  since  his  departure 
that  he  would  not  recognize  the  little  camp  at  the 
Junction,  as  it  had  grown  out  of  all  expectation,  and 
that  even  those  who  lived  there  all  the  time  could 
hardly  keep  up  with  it  rapid  progress,  adding  that 
the  mines  were  just  humming  and  that  they  had 
been  increasing  their  output  ever  since  he  left. 

He  also  stated  that  they  had  opened  up  rich 
veins  in  several  levels,  and  that  fine  placer  fields  had 
been  discovered  and  located  near  the  mouth  of  West 
Creek  right  in  the  trail,  and  that  there  was  a  strong 
probability  of  a  railroad  being  built  to  the  mines, 
that  the  company  had,  in  fact,  already  floated  bonds 


A      TALE      OF      THE      ROCKIES  20$ 

for  that  purpose ;  that  the  extension  of  the  line  from 
Grand  Junction  to  Salt  Lake  was  also  a  certainty, 
and  that  work  was  even  now  being  done  on  the 
grade. 

He  further  went  on  to  say  that  some  of  the  most 
gigantic  schemes  were  on  foot  to  water  the  benches 
above  the  valley,  as  well  as  the  land  along  the  river, 
when  they  would  be  planted  to  fruit  trees,  as  it  had 
been  found  that  peaches,  as  well  as  many  other  kinds 
of  semi-tropical  fruits,  bore  remarkably  well,  and 
that  the  product  was  superior  in  all  respects  to  that 
of  California;  that  the  trees  were  very  prolific,  and 
that  they  fruited  very  young, — in  short,  that  it  was. 
a  well  established  fact  that  the  Grand  valley  was  the 
ideal  fruit  country  of  the  Western  slope. 

Upon  a  visit  to  the  stock  exchange  Robert  is  sur- 
prised to  find  that  "The  Sinbad"  mining  stock  has 
advanced  more  than  a  hundred  per  cent,  since  he 
went  away,  and  that  his  own  private  bank  account 
is  assuming  magnificent  proportions.  Contemplat- 
ing these  great  changes,  he  begins  seriously  to  ques- 
tion his  senses,  but  is  assured  by  Jack  that  his  mind 
is  undoubtedly  sound,  and  that  he  will  soon  fully 
appreciate  the  fact  that  he  never  overestimated  trie 
value  of  their  mining  property,  nor  the  great  possi- 
bilities of  the  valley  of  the  Grand,  and  that  he  had 
better  prepare  himself  for  some  great  surprises,  as 
he  is  sure  to  meet  them. 

Charles  is  delighted  with  Denver,  "the  gem  of 
the  Rockies,"  but  is  very  anxious  to  go  on  to  Gran'd 
Junction  and  the  mines.  So  after  Robert  attends 
to  some  personal  business  which  has  accumulated 
during  his  absence,  all  is  fairly  ready  and  they  are 
on  their  way  to  the  new  "El  Dorado,"  and  as  their 


2C>6  THE      SINBAD      MINES: 

train  winds  about  through  the  deep  gorges  after 
having  entered  the  foot-hills,  Charles  is  struck  with 
the  grandeur  of  the  scenery.  Having  visited  the 
Alps,  and  indeed  having  made  an  extensive  tour  of 
them,  he  perceives  that  the  contrast  is  great;  that 
the  Rockies  are  on  a  much  grander  scale,  distances 
vastly  greater,  altitudes  being  reckoned  in  thous- 
ands instead  of  hundreds  of  feet,  while  the  walls  of 
the  canons  are  painted  in  the  brightest  hues. 

As  he  compares  the  scenes  through  which  they 
are  passing,  Charles  is  convinced  that  the  Alps,  al- 
though they  are  adorned  with  many  artificial  em- 
bellishments in  the  shape  of  vineyards  and  great 
hotels,  do  not  compare  in  natural  beauty  with  the 
grand  old  Rockies,  and  it  seemed  strange  to  him 
that  so  many  Americans  wrould  annually  go  abroad 
to  study  the  wonders  of  nature  when  but  a  small 
per  cent,  of  them  have  seen  one  tithe  of  the  won- 
ders of  their  own  land,  which  far  exceeds  in  gran- 
deur and  vastness  anything  which  may  be  seen  in 
any  of  the  European  countries.  Where  else  in  the 
world  is  there  a  pass  over  which  cars  are  gliding  at 
an  altitude  of  more  than  twelve  thousand  feet,  far 
above  the  clouds,  with  a  smoothness  which  allows 
the  glasses  to  be  filled  to  the  brim  while  the  mile 
posts  are  passing  at  the  rate  of  forty-five  an 
hour — where  the  train  fairly  flies  around  the  edges 
of  precipices,  or  climbs  up  grades  which  are  little 
less  than  hills,  to  slide  down  into  the  next  valley  with 
almost  lightning  rapidity,  with  but  little  jar  and 
the  utmost  safety? 

As  they  proceed  Charles  becomes  more  and  more 
interested  in  the  sublime  scenery  about  them,  and 
begins  to  blame  Robert  for  not  telling  him  more 


A      TALE      OF      THE      ROCKIES  207 

about  the  wonderful  country,  which  he  now  by  mere 
accident  is  looking  upon.  Robert  replies  that  it  is 
not  safe  for  a  Western  man  to  tell  the  whole  truth, 
as  it  would  surely  ruin  his  reputation,  in  the  East 
at  least,  as  there  would  be  comparatively  few  who 
would  believe  one-half  of  the  truth,  as  it  is  generally 
understood  that  Western  people  are  addicted  to  ex- 
aggerating ;  that  even  nature  in  the  Rockies  misrep- 
resents things ;  that  distance  and  altitudes  as  well  as 
many  other  natural  phenomena  are  not  what  they 
seem,  at  least  to  a  novice. 

At  the  time  Charles  does  not  appreciate  the  joke, 
or  the  force  of  the  statement  which  his  friend  had 
made,  but  in  after  years,  when  relating  experiences 
or  describing  the  wonderful  scenery  of  the  West  to 
his  Eastern  friends,  he  often  recalled  Robert's  ad- 
vice and  saved  himself  many  unjust  criticisms. 

Early  the  next  morning  they  reach  Gunnison,  a 
small  town  of  a  dozen  houses,  after  which  the  run 
to  Grand  Junction  is  completed  in  better  time  than 
was  expected,  as  it  is  a  water  grade  most  of  the 
distance  down  the  Gunnison  river,  and  they  reach  the 
city  before  dark. 

As  Robert  steps  to  the  platform  he  is  astonished 
to  see  the  immense  crowd  at  the  depot,  and  doubly 
so  when  he  learns  that  he  is  the  center  of  attraction. 
He  is  about  to  inquire  the  meaning  of  all  the  com- 
motion when  his  hand  is  seized  by  Erve,  who  shakes 
it  until  Robert  begs  for  its  release,  only  to  have  it 
grasped  by  another  and  another  of  his  friends,  who 
fairly  fall  over  each  other  in  their  haste  to  welcome 
him  home. 

They  are,  however,  interrupted  by  Happy,  who 
has  mounted  a  dry  goods  box,  and  in  a  very  brief  but 


208  THE      SINBAD      MINES: 

characteristic  speech  informs  the  crowd  that  it  is 
most  fitting  and  proper  on  this  occasion,  which  he 
considers  to  be  of  the  utmost  importance,  to  welcome 
home  one  who  has  done  more  both  for  the  present 
and  future  welfare  of  the  metropolis  of  the  Western 
Slope  than  any  other  living  man,  finishing  by  pro- 
posing three  cheers  for  Mr.  Robert  Smith,  the  hon- 
orable president  of  "The  Sinbad  Mining  and  Mill- 
ing Company."  Instantly  hands  and  hats  are  thrown 
in  the  air,  which  reverberates  with  three  hearty 
cheers. 

As  soon  as  Robert  can  recover  himself  sufficiently, 
he  thanks  them  for  their  hearty  reception  and  as- 
sures them  that  he  is  indeed  grateful  to  be  among 
them  again,  and  that  their  expressions  of  good-will 
are  deeply  appreciated.  After  Robert  had  ceased 
speaking  Charles  wants  to  know  if  he  is  a  royal 
personage  among  his  townsmen,  to  which  Robert 
replies  that  there  is  no  more  true  and  warm-hearted 
people  in  any  country  than  are  the  inhabitants  of 
the  Western  mining  camps;  that  they  never  forget 
their  friends,  and  that  all  new-comers  are  welcomed 
and  believed  to  be  the  best  of  fellows  until  they 
prove  themselves  otherwise,  when  they  are  generally 
invited  to  leave  the  country,  which  advice  if  not 
heeded,  frequently  results  in  a  decided  shortening  of 
their  earthly  existence. 

Robert  learns  that  all  the  boys  from  the  mines 
have  come  in  to  welcome  him  back,  and  that  they 
have  prepared  a  reception  for  him  at  the  new  hotel 
which  has  been  built  during  his  absence.  As  he 
proceeds  up  the  street  he  can  hardly  believe  his  own 
eyes,  so  great  has  been  the  change,  as  several  sub- 
stantial bank  buildings  have  been  erected  and  shade 


A      TALE      OF      THE      ROCKIES  2OQ 

trees  planted,  while  the  population  has  doubled  at 
least  a  dozen  times.  At  the  hotel  there  is  a  large 
assemblage,  a  large  part  of  whom  are  strangers  to 
Robert,  but  who  have  become  valued  citizens  dur- 
ing his  absence,  and  who  welcome  him  as  heartily  as 
any  of  his  old  associates. 

Speeches  and  toasts  are  delivered  over  the  table 
and  many  new  projects  discussed  in  regard  to  further 
development  of  the  new  country ;  propositions  which 
are  so  far  in  advance  of  what  Robert  had  thought 
possible  a  few  months  before  that  it  seems  to  him 
that  time  itself  is  being  outdone,  and  that  they  are 
already  in  the  midst  of  a  great  metropolis,  as  among 
the  plans  proposed  are  water  works,  railroads,  ex- 
tensive fruit  orchards,  and  many  other  great  enter- 
prises. It  is  announced  at  the  tables  that  the  nec- 
essary funds  for  the  construction  of  the  Midland 
railroad  have  been  raised,  and  that  the  second  broad- 
gauge  to  Denver  will  soon  be  a  realized  fact. 

Robert  introduces  his  companion  as  Mr.  Charles 
Moulton,  his  future  brother-in-law,  who  has  come 
West  with  him  to  help  develop  the  country,  which 
will  some  day,  in  the  not-distant  future,  become  the 
garden  of  the  Western  Slope.  When  Robert  stops 
speaking  some  one  proposes  the  health  of  the  future 
brother-in-law,  which  is  immediately  amended  so  as 
to  include  the  very  good  health  and  happiness  of  his 
fortunate  sister. 

Charles  responds  that,  speaking  for  himself  he  is 
very  glad  to  meet  with  so  many  friends  and  partici- 
pate in  their  good-will  and  hospitality,  but  for  his 
sister,  as  she  is  not  present,  he  will  respectfully  re- 
fer them  to  their  distinguished  guest,  Mr.  Robert 
Smith,  who  he  believes  can  answer  for  her.  Shouts 
14 


2IO  THE      SINBAD      MINES: 

for  Robert  from  all  parts  of  the  room  bring  that  gen- 
tleman to  his  feet,  only  to  say  that  as  for  the  young 
man's  sister,  she  would  undoubtedly  be  glad  to  see 
the  hearty  reception  which  they  accord  him  on  her 
account,  and  that  he,  in  her  stead,  wishes  to  thank 
them  heartily.  He  further  assures  them  that  the 
lady  will  soon  be  with  them  and  return  their  well 
wishes. 

The  succeeding  day  is  spent  in  getting  ready  for 
a  trip  to  the  mines.  Instead  of  a  pack-train  being 
fitted  out  as  formerly,  large  ore  wagons  are  drawn 
up  in  front  of  the  hotel  and  Robert  is  informed  by 
Erve  that  the  time  for  pack-trains  to  Sinbad  is 
past,  for  the  first  half  of  the  way  at  least,  as  they 
have  built  a  good  road  that  distance,  and  will  un- 
doubtedly finish  it  to  the  mines  within  the  next 
few  months. 

They  are  soon  on  the  road  which  Robert  has 
traveled  so  many  times  before,  and  when  night 
comes  it  find  them  at  the  end  of  the  completed 
road,  where  there  is  a  large  gang  of  men  and  teams 
at  work  grading  and  plowing,  while  another  gang 
further  down  the  canon  are  blasting  away  the  great 
rocks  for  the  continuation  of  the  ore  road,  which 
is  being  built  in  the  most  substantial  manner,  as  the 
loads  which  are  to  be  hauled  over  it  will  be  exceed- 
ingly heavy  and  the  wear  great. 

After  they  turn  into  their  blankets  Charles  asks 
Robert  if  that  is  the  way  that  business  is  generally 
done  in  the  West,  adding  that  if  it  is  the  usual 
custom  in  this  country  to  do  things  first  and  think 
of  them  afterwards  it  is  just  the  place  in  which  he 
wishes  to  live,  as  it  makes  him  tired  to  think. 

Robert  explains  that  some  one  must  have  thought 


A      TALE      OF      THE      ROCKIES  211 

first,  but  that  they  did  not  waste  much  time  in  ask- 
ing  the  opinion  of  any  uninterested  person  about 
the  matter,  but  at  once  put  into  form  their  thoughts ; 
that  the  accomplished  facts  were  only  their  thoughts 
in  a  material  form ;  that  little  attention  was  paid  to 
theories  or  even  the  best  established  rule,  as  com- 
mon sense  was  at  a  premium,  and  that  what  it  was 
necessary  to  accomplish  was  the  thing  done,  even 
if  it  was  to  run  a  railroad  grade  where  it  was  ut- 
terly impossible  for  an  engine  to  climb,  as  in  that 
case  an  engine  would  immediately  be  constructed 
which  would  not  only  climb  it,  but  pull  a  great  train 
after  it.  That  the  necessity  assured  the  accomplish- 
ment. 

As  they  pass  the  advance  construction  gang  the 
next  morning  Robert  is  cheered  again  and  again  by 
the  men  who  recognize  him,  and  who  are  working 
as  though  their  future  happiness  depends  upon  the 
amount  of  work  they  accomplish  before  sun-down, 
and  as  though  they  were  directly  interested  in  its 
completion,  as  indeed  they  are,  for  each  man  realizes 
a  profit  from  the  amount  made  by  the  company  each 
year  besides  his  regular  wages. 

As  they  are  moving  past  the  mouth  of  Ute  Creek 
and  "Robber's  Point,"  Charles  is  told  of  the  exciting 
scenes  which  have  taken  place  there,  while  Erve 
shows  him  the  scar  in  the  rock  where  the  bullet  "that 
didn't  kill  him"  flattened  out,  remarking  that  it 
was  not  due  to  any  fault  of  his  that  he  is  still  around 
to  tell  of  it,  as  he  had  disobeyed  an  order  which 
usually  meant  death  in  those  parts. 

When  the  mouth  of  the  valley  is  reached  on  the 
evening  of  the  second  day,  and  the  many  columns 
of  smoke  can  be  seen  rising  from  the  black  throats 


212  T  H  E       S  I  K  B  A  D       MINES: 

of  the  roasting  ovens,  while  the  air  is  resonant  with 
a  mighty  rumbling  sound  from  the  crushers,  fre- 
quently emphasized  by  powerful  concussions  of  giant 
powder,  Charles  turns  to  his  companion  and  inquires 
if  all  of  this  great  plant  is  the  result  of  only  a  few 
years'  labor ;  to  which  Erve  responds  that  five  years 
ago  there  was  not  a  dollar's  worth  of  improvements 
in  the  entire  valley;  that  it  was  the  peaceful  home 
of  the  deer  and  buffalo,  and  that  what  he  now  sees 
is  the  result  of  Western  push  and  determination  on 
the  part  of  everyone  interested  to  do  the  very  best 
possible. 

A  few  days  after  their  arrival,  upon  urgent  re- 
quest, Charles  accepts  the  position  of  bookkeeper 
for  the  mines,  which  he  fills  for  many  years,  becom- 
ing a  great  favorite  with  the  men  as  well  as  the 
owners. 

After  calling  a  general  meeting  of  the  company, 
including  all  of  the  operatives,  Robert  thanks  them 
for  the  satisfactory  manner  in  which  they  have  con- 
ducted the  business  of  the  company,  as  well  as  the 
way  in  which  each  laborer  has  applied  himself  to 
every  detail  of  his  task  during  his  absence,  closing 
his  remarks  with  the  assurance  that  the  financial  re- 
sults will  be  satisfactory  to  all  interested,  as  the  per- 
centage of  clear  profit  will  be  very  nearly  equal  to 
their  regular  wages,  and  that  said  amount,  together 
with  their  accumulated  wages,  will  be  paid  them  in 
full  on  the  next  regular  pay-day. 

Previously  he  has  informed  the  management  of 
his  approaching  wedding,  and  that  he  expects  to 
bring  his  wife  to  the  new  city  to  help  him  enjoy  the 
prosperity  which  they  have  been  instrumental  in 
bringing  to  him;  that  the  wedding  will  take  place 


A      TALE      OF      THE      ROCKIES  213 

on  Christmas  day,  and  that  he  asks  as  a  special  favor 
that  all  the  works  be  shut  down  for  at  least  a  week, 
so  that  the  men  may  enjoy  a  holiday  and  be  enter- 
tained during  the  time,  wholly  at  his  expense.  As 
this  is  agreeable  to  the  other  members  of  the  com- 
pany, Happy  is  detailed  to  deliver  the  invitations, 
which  are  afterwards  found  to  be  an  imperative 
order,  which  reads : 

SINBAD  MINING  DISTRICT 

December  17. 

NOTICE  is  hereby  given  that  these  works  will  be  shut 
down  on  the  20th  inst.  for  the  remainder  of  the  year  to 
undergo  repairs,  which  will  not  be  commenced  until  the  first 
of  January  next.  In  the  meantime  no  work  will  be  required 
of  any  of  the  boys  except  to  draw  their  pay  and  attend  the 
wedding  of  the  president  of  this  company,  which  will  take 
place  in  the  City  of  Grand  Junction  on  Christmas  day,  the 
25th  of  the  present  month.  Pay  for  the  entire  month,  with 
accruing  interest,  will  be  drawn  on  the  evening  of  the  2ist. 
All  men  employed  about  these  works  will  be  in  their  ap- 
pointed places  dressed  in  their  best,  as  no  excuse  will  be 
accepted.  (Signed)  "HAPPY." 

By  order  of  the  Company. 

These  notices  were  found  posted  up  about  the 
works  and  at  the  different  shafts  of  the  mine,  which, 
when  they  had  been  read  by  the  men,  produced  a 
very  noticeable  effect,  as  they  highly  appreciated 
the  opportunity  of  enjoying  a  holiday,  especially  as 
they  were  to  lose  no  time,  or  be  at  any  expense.  Be- 
sides, it  would  be  something  entirely  new  in  the  ex- 
perience of  many  of  them,  as  an  event  like  a  great 
wedding  had  never  been  thought  of  by  'some  of 
them,  much  less  taken  part  in. 

Robert  then  returned  to  the  city,  and  securing  a 
desirable  piece  of  land,  began  the  erection  of  his 


214  THE      SINBAD      MINES: 

future  home.  Jack,  although  long  before  having 
given  up  the  business,  consented  to  act  as  master- 
builder.  In  a  short  time  the  material  was  on  the 
ground  and  as  many  men  engaged  upon  its  construc- 
tion as  could  well  be  handled.  As  the  timber  was 
purchased  ready  dressed,  it  was  but  a  short  time  be- 
fore a  fine  two-story  cottage  of  ten  rooms  was  wait- 
ing for  its  occupants. 

Trees  were  planted  and  walks  laid,  which  ren- 
dered the  home  very  attractive,  as  well  as  insuring 
an  abundance  of  fruit  in  the  near  future.  A  flower 
garden  was  also  laid  out  and  preparations  made  for 
a  lawn,  which  was  a  decided  innovation  upon  the 
Great  American  Desert,  but  which  is  soon  to  blos- 
som like  a  rose,  and  which,  like  the  fabled  land  of 
promise,  is  to  "flow  with  milk  and  honey,"  where 
the  happy  and  contented  residents  may  literally  "sit 
in  the  shade  of  their  own  vine  and  fig  tree,"  while 
the  orchards  which  surround  them  shall  add  rap- 
idly to  their  increasing  wealth. 

As  Robert  contemplates  the  beautiful  picture 
spread  out  before  him  it  seems  to  him  that  with 
these  surroundings  and  the  companionship  of  so 
many  true  friends,  together  with  unexceptional 
health,  it  would  indeed  be  a  most  exacting  and  sel- 
fish person  who  could  be  otherwise  than  happy ;  but 
as  he  analyzes  his  feelings  he  is  forced  to  the  con- 
clusion that  even  with  all  of  these  comforts  and  bless- 
ings he  is  not  happy.  No !  There  is  a  void  in  his 
breast — a  vacant  place  in  his  heart  that  is  still  yearn- 
ing, still  longing  for  its  rightful  possessor!  God 
did  not  make  man  to  dwell  alone,  and  without  his 
companion,  his  other  self,  he  is  an  incomplete  and 
consequently  unhappy  being. 


A      TALE      OF      THE      ROCKIES  21$ 

As  Robert  fully  realizes  the  cause  of  his  loneli- 
ness his  eyes  are  turned  toward  the  mighty  hills, 
far  beyond  the  glistening  peaks  of  which  he  has 
left  his  affianced  bride,  who  under  God's  blessing 
is  to  occupy  his  heart  and  fill  to  the  brim  his  cup 
of  happiness.  As  his  mind  runs  back  to  the  many 
pleasant  days  which  he  has  spent  in  her  company, 
his  thoughts  take  the  form  of  words  and  his  lips 
break  forth  in  song,  which  is  but  the  devotion  of  a 
pure  soul,  the  intense  love  of  one  who  has  known 
sorrow,  and  who  is  thus  the  better  enabled  to  bask 
in  the  sunshine  of  a  love  that  is  equal  to  his  own. 
No  more  fitting  title  could  express  his  love;  no 
more  appropriate  words  convey  his  sentiment. 

SHE  IS  MY  ANGEL 

I  see  her  through  a  mist  of  tears  like  an  angel  in  a  dream; 
Her  voice  I  hear  so  rich  and  clear,  her  eyes  in  beauty  gleam ; 
From  her  angel  face  like  a  crowning  grace,  the  wind  her  ring- 
lets blow, 
As  from  her  lips  I  catch  the  song  that  only  angels  know. 

Chorus: 

O.  she  is  my  angel ;  fair  as  the  queen  of  the  morning ; 

Lips,  like  the  rose,  laden  with  dew,  like  happy  birds  always 

singing ; 
Pure    as    the    snow    from    Heaven    above,    happiness    always 

bringing. 

Her  form  is  like  a  vision  fair,  her  blush  like  the  early  dawn ; 
Deep  in  my  heart,  Love,  with  his  dart,  an  angel's  face  has 

drawn. 
Like  a  beacon  light  in  a  stormy  night  she  guides  me  all  the 

while. 
As  on  my  heart  in  splendor  falls  my  angel's  beaming  smile. 

I  long  to  clasp  her  in  my  arms,  and  to  call  her  all  my  own, 
Then  life  shall  be  all  joy  to  me,  this  earth  a  Heaven  grown! 
With  a  love  as  strong  as  life  is  long  I'll  fondly  worship  thee, 
And  ever  bless  the  day  that  gave  my  angel's  love  to  me ! 


2l6  THE      SINBAD      MINES: 

When  Robert  has  ceased  singing,  and  the  song 
had  died  away,  he  was  somewhat  astonished  to  ob- 
serve Happy,  whom  he  had  not  noticed  before,  who 
upon  being  recognized  produced  a  crumpled  piece 
of  paper  and  proceeded  to  deliver  himself  of  the 
following,  as  a  contribution  from  his  own  observa- 
tions of — 

THE   MINER 

Down  in  the  earth  where  the  miners  delve 

Among  the  veins  of  glistening  ore, 
With  drills  of  steel  and  sledges'  blow, 

Through  solid  rock  a  passage  bore. 
Shut  out  from  day  with  stifling  air, 

Their  labors  hard,  still  harder  fare, 
Where  blasts  resound  from  morn  till  night, 

Their  only  gleam  a  candle's  light. 

Beneath  the  vaults  and  hanging  walls 

They  pry  and  drill  and  break  the  rock, 
Subjected  to  a  thousand  fears 

From  smoke  and  gas  and  fearful  shock ; 
With  hope  of  finding  endless  wealth 

The  hours  are  spent  in  happy  strife ; 
The  night  cut  short  at  break  of  day, 

They  labor  on  as  though  for  life! 

Through  days  and  weeks  and  months  and  years 
Their  hopes  commingled  with  their  fears, 
Until   at   last  they  strike   the   ledge, 
Pick  up  their  "stake"  and  drop  the  sledge ! 
Their  fortune   made,  they  seek  the  town, 
And  in  their  cozy  homes  sit  down, 
While  wealth  is  dug  by  other  hands 
To  help  them  carry  out  their  plans, 

Which  years  before  were  duly  made 
For  raising  fruit  beneath  the  shade; 
For  winding  path  and  leafy  hedge 
When  they  were  wielding  hard  the  sledge. 
It  seems  too  good  to  be  a  fact ; 
The  trees  are  grown,  the  hedges  backed. 
The  paths  are  shining  with  the  sand, — 
His  home  the  fairest  in  the  land! 


A      TALE      OF      THE      ROCKIES  21" 

To   him   who   waits   and   works   as    well, 
The  years  are  sure  a  tale  to  tell 
Of  hopes  rewarded  with  good  cheer, 
And  love  and  blessings  all  the  year. 
A  happy  home,  a  loving  wife ; 
A  lack  of  care,  no  room  for  strife ; 
With  children   rosy,  blithe  and  gay, 
The  labor  done — and  years  to  play! 


2l8  THE      SINBAD      MINES 


C  H  AFTER    X. 

|HEN  Robert  and  Charles  had  gone  the 
Moultons  immediately  began  to  arrange 
for  their  intended  trip  to  the  West. 
As  Mr.  Moulton  had  about  made  up 
his  mind  to  locate  in  the  new  country,  al- 
though he  did  not  mention  it  to  his  wife,  he  ar- 
ranged his  business  affairs  so  that,  should  he  wish 
to  remain  in  the  West,  it  would  require  but  a  short 
time  for  him,  upon  his  return,  to  complete  his  ar- 
rangements to  such  an  end. 

Alice,  although  she  was  aware  that  it  would  not 
be  easy  to  part  with  her  young  companions,  soon 
finds  that  it  is  much  more  of  a  sacrifice  than  she  had 
anticipated;  that  many  of  the  pleasant  associations 
of  her  childhood  will  have  to  be  broken — and  that 
forever.  She  almost  wishes  that  she  had  persuaded 
Robert  to  remain  with  her  in  the  old  home,  where 
she  has  passed  so  many  years  and  where  she  has 
known  little  of  the  hardships  and  trials  of  life; 
where  the  path  has  been  smoothed  for  her  by  a  kind 
and  loving  father,  and  her  childish  trials  and  cares 
listened  to  by  a  patient  and  sympathizing  mother. 
But,  as  she  has  promised  that  she  will  share  the  lot 
of  another,  whatever  that  may  be,  that  his  home 
shall  be  her  home,  she  does  not  hesitate  in  the  de- 
termination to  smother  the  tears  which,  in  spite  of 
her,  will  at  times  well  up  in  her  eyes.  These  are  hur- 
riedly wiped  away,  and  in  the  seclusion  of  her  own 


A      TALE      OF      THE      ROCKIES  2IQ 

room,  as  she  reads  many  endearing  words  of  love 
and  happiness,  her  sorrow  is  forgotten. 

Time  passes  very  rapidly,  as  there  is  much  to  be 
done  which  keeps  her  mind  and  hands  busy  nearly 
all  of  the  time,  so  there  is  little  opportunity  for  her 
to  grieve.  Then,  too,  every  week  brings  letters 
from  Robert  and  Charles,  the  latter  giving  glowing 
accounts  of  the  wonderful  country  which  has  en- 
tirely absorbed  his  attention,  while  Robert's  letters 
contain  that  of  which  she  never  seems  to  tire.  They 
begin  and  end  with  terms  of  endearment  so  true  and 
manly  that  she  forgets  her  sorrow,  and  longs  for 
the  time  to  come  when  she  can  go  to  him  who  is 
her  whole  life,  and  without  whom  life  would  be 
unendurable.  Most  of  Charles'  letters  are  addressed 
to  Matie,  whose  mind  he  manages  to  keep  filled 
with  wonderful  stories,  akin  to  those  which  she  had 
listened  to  with  so  much  interest  from  Robert  dur- 
ing the  voyage,  telling  her  that  the  sights  to  be  seen 
in  the  Great  West  are  so  far  beyond  anything  in 
Europe  that  there  is  really  no  comparison  between 
them;  that  they  are  "out  of  sight,"  and  finishes  by 
saying  that  he  is  just  aching  to  show  her  around; 
that  his  friends  will  be  glad  to  see  her  and  that  she 
must  not  let  anything  prevent  them  from  getting 
started  promptly  on  time,  as  it  will  completely  spoil 
all  of  his  plans  if  she  does. 

In  the  meantime,  it  has  been  rumored  among 
Alice's  friends  that  she  is  to  be  taken  away  to  the 
"barbarous  West"  by  a  rich  miner,  whereupon  many 
of  her  young  friends  call  to  bid  her  good-bye  and 
sympathize  with  her,  seeming  to  think  that  she  is 
going  out  of  the  world,  among  savages,  as  a  sort  of 
missionary,  and  firmly  believing  that  she  will  soon 


220  THE      SINBAD      MINES: 

repent  of  her  "folly,"  as  they  term  it.  But  to  all 
their  remonstrances  Alice  answers  that  she  is  not 
disposed  to  change  her  mind,  and  that  some  day 
they  will  be  glad  to  join  her  in  her  new  home,  to 
which  one  of  them  responds  that  she  would  never 
marry  a  man  who  would  deliberately  take  her  among 
such  barbarians  and  out  of  the  reach  of  civilization, 
it  mattered  not  how  much  she  might  love  him ;  that 
it  was  barbarous  to  do  so,  and  that  a  "gentleman" 
would  not  think  of  asking  it.  This  suggestion 
touches  Alice's  pride,  and  she  mentally  takes  note 
of  it,  as  she  believes  that  it  is  more  than  possible 
that  she  may  have  an  opportunity  of  quoting  them 
to  her  positive  visitor,  as  she  has  noticed  that 
Charles  was  quite  partial  to  this  young  lady  before 
he  went  away,  and  that  he  still  continues  to  think 
of  her,  as  he  always  makes  inquiries  about  her  in 
his  letters.  Now  that  he  is  so  deeply  interested  in 
the  new  country,  it  is  quite  probable  that  he  will 
locate  there,  and  it  may  be  that  sometime  he  will 
return  and  ask  this  same  very  positive  girl  to  be- 
come a  missionary  and  go  away  to  the  far  West 
among  the  heathen. 

Months  are  reduced  to  weeks  and  weeks  to  days, 
until,  one  fine,  crisp  morning,  after  a  deal  of  delay 
and  trouble,  the  family  leave  the  old  home,  with  its 
fond  associations,  and  are  on  their  way  to  the  cars, 
which  are  to  bear  them  away  from  the  many  ac- 
customed scenes  and  familiar  faces.  As  Alice  gazes 
through  her  tears,  which  will  not  be  hid,  for  the  last 
time  at  the  old  home  of  her  childhood,  she  feels 
that  it  never  looked  so  dear  to  her  before,  and  turn- 
ing to  her  father,  as  she  brushes  away  the  tears,  she 
asks  him  if  he  intends  to  dispose  of  their  home.  To 


A      TALE      OF      THE      ROCKIES  221 

which  he  answers  that  he  has  not  thought  of  doing 
so,  adding,  as  he  observes  her  saddened  counten- 
ance, that  she  is  not  looking  well,  and  that  he  is 
afraid  that  the  worry  of  the  past  two  weeks  has 
been  too  much  for  her,  but  that  he  is  in  hopes  the 
trip  across  the  continent  will  revive  her  energies  and 
bring  the  roses  back  to  her  cheeks.  Alice  explains 
that  she  would  like  very  much  to  have  him  keep  the 
place,  as  it  will  be  pleasant  in  after  years  for  them 
to  occasionally  visit  their  old  home  and  enjoy  its 
pleasant  associations.  Little  does  she  realize  that 
what  is  now  her  home  will  in  a  few  short  years  be- 
come entirely  strange  to  her,  and  that  the  place  to 
which  she  is  now  going  will  then  be  not  only  her 
home,  but  the  dearest  spot  on  earth  to  her.  But 
such  is  life.  Home  is  where  the  mind  is  contented; 
where  our  loved  ones  are,  and  where  the  mother 
reigns  supreme.  So  when,  in  after  years,  Alice  re- 
turned to  her  childhood  home, — as  it  seemed  to  h6r 
that  nothing  else  could  satisfy  her  continued  long- 
ing, though  she  was  not  unhappy  or  dissatisfied, 
surrounded  as  she  was  by  all  the  blessings  of  a  beau- 
tiful home,  she  longed  to  stand  among  the  enchanted 
scenes  of  her  early  life,  where  the  roses  were  thorn- 
less  and  the  shadows  only  sufficient  to  soften  the 
landscape  and  rest  the  weary  eye, — she  stood  at  the 
old  gate,  slowly  paced  up  the  well-remembered  walk, 
and  gazed  from  the  window  upon  the  scenes  which 
she  had  often  beheld  when  a  child.  It  all  seemed 
strange  and  unsatisfying.  No,  this  was  not  her 
home.  Her  home  was  thousands  of  miles  away,  be- 
yond the  snowy  peaks  of  the  everlasting  hills — in 
the  beautiful  Valley  of  the  Grand.  There  was  her 
home  among  her  children  and  loved  ones.  The 


THE      SINBAD      MINES: 


scenes  of  her  childhood  were  strange  and  forgotten. 
The  well-known  faces  were  changed  and  gone.  She 
found  herself  alone  and  in  a  strange  land! 

They  enter  the  cars  and  are  soon  rolling  along 
over  the  smooth  roadbed  of  the  old  Fitchburg  line 
toward  the  setting  sun.  The  always  beautiful  scen- 
ery of  the  Green  Mountains,  through  which  they  are 
passing,  is  bedecked  in  its  richest  robes  of  autumn 
leaves,  while  the  rushing  creek,  up  the  grade  of 
which  the  train  is  climbing,  sparkles  and  dances  in 
the  declining  sun. 

The  contour  of  the  horizon  becomes  more  irregu- 
lar, while  the  cuts  and  fills  follow  each  other  in 
rapid  succession.  A  warning  blast  from  the  whistle 
is  heard  and  the  train  plunges  in  the  depths  of  the 
Hoosic  Tunnel,  to  emerge  a  few  moments  later  on 
the  opposite  side  and  glide  down  the  valley  towards 
the  city  of  Schenectady,  which  is  reached  in  time 
for  supper.  Here  they  change  cars  for  Niagara 
Falls  and  Suspension  Bridge,  where  a  short  stop  is 
made  to  give  them  an  opportunity  to  examine  the 
wonderful  structure  and  still  more  wonderful  catar- 
act, a  tremendous  illustration  of  the  mighty  forces  of 
nature.  Then  by  way  of  the  Grand  Trunk  railroad 
they  round  the  foot  of  the  lake  and  the  long,  dusty 
train  rolls  into  the  depot  at  the  foot  of  Lake  street. 
What  a  revelation  it  presents  to  Mr.  Moulton,  as  he 
emerges  from  the  gateway  and  gazes  at  the  great 
metropolis,  where  but  a  few  years  before  had  stood 
but  little  more  than  an  outpost  of  civilization!  He 
stands  in  amazement  as  he  beholds  the  great  blocks 
of  warehouses,  immense  wharves  and  elevators, 
while  the  streets  are  teeming  with  commerce  and 
thronged  with  its  busy  populace,  numbered  by  the 


A      TALE      OF      THE      ROCKIES  223 

hundreds  of  thousands — a  city  which  also  enjoys  the 
distinction  of  being  the  second  most  important  rail- 
road center  in  the  United  States.  It  seems  impos- 
sible to  him  that  such  enormous  strides  could  pos- 
sibly have  been  made  in  so  short  a  time,  and  he  re- 
peadedly  rubs  his  eyes  in  an  endeavor  to  remove  the 
mist  of  a  few  years  which  seem  to  contradict  what 
his  senses  compel  him  to  believe  are  true. 

The  next  day  is  spent  in  riding  around  the  city, 
visiting  places  of  interest,  including  the  stock  yards, 
where  years  before  they  had  parted  with  young  Rob- 
ert, who  was  soon  to  commence  his  journey  across 
the  plains,  to  gain  his  fortune,  or  drift,  perhaps, 
into  the  world  an  outcast  from  home  and  a  burden  to 
the  rest  of  mankind.  When  Mr.  Moulton  described 
his  feelings  as  he  bade  the  boy  good-bye,  he  added 
that  he  almost  blamed  himself  for  allowing  him  to 
go  as  he  did.  Alice  inquired  why  he  did  not  take 
him  back  to  their  home  in  the  East  if  he  was  so 
much  interested  in  him.  Mr.  Moulton  replied  that 
he  did  not  know,  unless  it  was  from  the  reason  that 
it  was  better  for  him,  like  Joseph  of  old,  to  be  sent 
out  to  care  for  himself,  that  it  might  stimulate  him 
to  greater  energy,  adding  that  he  presumed  it  was 
much  better  for  Robert  that  he  did  not  assist  him 
further;  that  it  might  have  entirely  changed  his 
life,  and  caused  him  to  become  of  little  use  to  him- 
self or  others. 

The  long  ride  to  Denver  was  made  without  inci- 
dent, except  that  it  seemed  to  Alice  to  be  a  great  deal 
farther  than  she  had  expected.  Although  well  in- 
formed as  to  the  geography  of  the  Western  states 
through  which  they  are  passing,  she  had  not  formed 
a  correct  idea  of  their  size.  And  as  the  train  moves 


224  THE      SINBAD      MINES: 

along  for  hours  and  days,  it  seems  to  her  that  they 
are  being  carried  far  out  of  the  world  that  she  has 
known,  and  as  she  contemplates  the  long  journey 
which  her  lover  accomplished  so  many  years  before, 
she  wonders  how  it  was  possible  for  them,  with  the 
slow  ox  teams,  to  have  ever  completed  such  an  end- 
less journey,  exposed  as  they  were  to  the  burning 
sun  by  day  and  the  cold  and  chill  by  night,  as  well 
as  the  terrible  danger  from  the  Indians,  when  she 
is  now  disposed  to  complain,  although  traveling  in 
all  the  luxurious  ease  of  the  most  modern  railroad 
equipment.  As  Alice  lies  in  her  berth  thinking  of 
the  great  changes  which  have  taken  place  in  the 
mode  of  travel  since  Robert  first  left  them,  she  is 
informed  by  the  porter  as  he  hastens  through  the 
aisles  that  they  are  due  in  Denver  at  7  a.  m.,  and  as 
they  are  on  schedule  time,  they  will  reach  that  city  in 
time  for  breakfast.  Whereupon  she  arises,  and  after 
completing  her  toilet,  joins  the  rest  of  the  family, 
who  are  enjoying  the  scenery  from  the  window. 
Toward  the  west  can  be  seen  the  beautiful  snowy- 
range,  their  heads  covered  with  glittering  snow, 
towering  far  above  the  surrounding  country,  while 
a  little  farther  to  the  south  stands  out  in  bold  relief 
the  glistening  outlines  of  Pike's  Peak,  which  is  in- 
stantly recognized  by  Mr.  Moulton  from  its  geo- 
graphical position,  size  and  contour. 

PIKE'S  PEAK 

'Tis  night !   And  with  its  sable  wings 

It  guards  the  hidden  west, 
While,  hung  above  a  yawning  rent 

Far  toward  its  rugged  crest, 
An  angry  cloud  is  waging  war 

Among  the  rocky  peaks. 
Where  rolling  thunder  shakes  the  earth — 

That  with  its  deluge  reeks. 


A      TALE      OF      THE      ROCKIES 

The  lurid  squadrons,  massing  high, 

In  wild  fantastic  form, 
Still  urge  their  cohorts  up  the  crags — 

Its  battlements  to  storm — 
But,  though  the  charge  is  furious, 

It  meets  a  stubborn   foe, 
For  rocks  are  hurled  from  smoking  cliff, 

To  awful  depths  below. 

A  change  is  creeping  o'er  the  scene, 

The  east  begins  to  glow, 
While  shadows  charging  thro'  the  gorge 

Are  rushing  to  and  fro 
As  though  in  fear  of  coming  day, 

They  make  a  quick  retreat 
And  leave  the  dripping  battleground 

The  rising  sun  to  meet. 

The  glow  of  morning  marches  on ; 

Her  clouds  are  tipped  with  gold, 
While  for  our  vision,  now  is  spread 

A  scene,  though  ages  old, 
Is  grander  than  this  earth  affords 

In  any  other  clime — 
The  King  of  mountains,  crowned  in  light 

The  Monarch  of  all  time! 

His  hoary  head  a  diadem 

Against  the  azure  blue, 
While  clouds  of  royal  purple  hide 

His  massive  form  from  view, — 
Until  a  beam,  from  out  the  east, 

Is  shot  across  his  breast — 
When  like  a  Midas,  clad  in  gold, 

In  splendor,  he  is  dressed. 

The  King  of  dav  ascends  the  sky 

And  pours  a  flood  of  light 
Upon  the  King  of  earth  below — 

Whose  ermine  robe  of  white, 
Reflects  it  forth  to  mortal  eyes — 

Spread  o'er  a  broad  domain, 
Who  worship  at  this  ancient  shrine, — 

From  hill  and  verdant  plain. 


226  THE      SINE  AD      MINES: 

And  when  at  eve  his  noble  form 

Shuts  out  the  light  of  day 
And  ghostly  spirits  climb  the  crags — 

As  in  the  past,  to  pray — 
Tis  then  that  glory  crowns  His  brow : 

A  Mighty  Monarch,  bold ! 
The  grandest  sight  e'er  seen  by  man — 

Or  story  ever  told. 

From  a  barren,  rolling  prairie  over  which  they 
have  been  traveling  for  some  time,  the  country  is 
becoming  more  undulating,  and  the  train  is  frequent- 
ly passing  farm  houses,  then  suburban  residences, 
and  a  little  later  they  enter  the  city  and  the  Union 
depot.  Miss  Alice,  who  has  been  watching  for  him, 
catches  sight  of  her  lover  as  he  rushes  along  the 
platform  toward  the  forward  end  of  their  coach, 
and  soon  comes  rapidly  down  the  passageway  toward 
their  apartments.  Clasping  Alice  in  his  arms,  he 
holds  her  fast,  while  he  covers  her  mouth  with  pas- 
sionate kisses,  entirely  disregarding  the  rest  of  her 
party,  whereupon  Mr.  Mouton  inquires  if  that  is 
the  usual  manner  in  which  young  ladies  are  re- 
ceived in  the  West,  adding  that  he  does  not  wish  to 
interfere  with  the  prevailing  custom,  but  as  such 
demonstrations  are  uncommon  to  him,  he  simply 
asks  for  information.  Somewhat  recovering  him- 
self, Robert  tries  to  excuse  himself  by  saying  that 
for  the  moment,  he  had  entirely  forgotten  himself 
and  that  he,  like  all  others  in  the  West,  is  controlled 
largely  by  present  emotions ;  that  he  is  of  course 
very  happy  to  see  them  all  and  welcome  them  to 
his  adopted  state.  Matie,  after  looking  at  him  for 
some  time,  wants  to  know  if  he  does  not  intend  to 
kiss  her, .too,  especially  after  he  has  been  hugging 
her  sister  in  that  awful  manner — and  right  before 


A      TALE      OF      THE      ROCKIES  227 

her  eyes, — adding  that  she  is  afraid  he  does  not 
think  very  much  of  the  rest  of  the  family.  Robert 
replies,  as  he  takes  her  on  his  knee,  that  of  course 
he  intends  to  kiss  her  many  times,  but  that  he  must 
not  be  expected  to  get  around  very  fast,  for  the 
reason  that  he  is  entirely  out  of  practice,  after  which 
he  inquires  in  regard  to  her  health,  forgetting  even 
to  shake  hands  with  Mrs.  Moulton,  who  finally 
offers  him  her  hand,  with  the  suggestion  that  he 
ought  to  be  willing  to  welcome  her  as  she  is  largely 
responsible  for  his  present  happines.  Robert  at  once 
takes  the  hand  offered  him,  and  holding  it  in  both 
of  his,  says : 

"Allow  me,  mother  (a  name  which  has  been  but 
a  memory  to  me  for  many  years),  to  thank  you  for 
the  unspeakable  happiness  which  I  am  at  this  mo- 
ment permitted  to  enjoy,  and  may  I  ever  continue  to 
be  as  dutiful  a  son  to  you  and  Father  Moulton, 
as  Miss  Alice  has  been  a  daughter,  and  inasmuch 
as  I  have  been  enabled  to  keep  in  the  path  of  recti- 
tude, with  but  the  memory  of  a  mother,  the  pos- 
session of  a  Bible  and  the  innocent  love  of  a  little 
girl,  I  ought  now,  certainly,  to  continue  in  that  way 
the  remainder  of  my  life,  with  the  blessing  of  a  true 
wife,  and  the  watchful  care  of  a  fond  father  and 
mother." 

As  they  emerge  from  the  depot  they  are  con- 
fronted by  a  long  line  of  carriages,  one  of  which  they 
enter  and  are  driven  to  the  Albany  Hotel,  where 
they  relish  a  breakfast  consisting  of  mountain  trout 
and  fresh  fruit,  after  which  Robert  takes  them  for 
a  drive  about  the  city.  As  Robert  cannot  arrange 
to  leave  until  the  following  morning,  on  account  of 
some  business  which  he  is  transacting  for  the  com- 


228  THE      SINBAD      MINES: 

pany,  and  as  the  travelers  are  somewhat  fatigued 
from  their  long  journey,  they  retire  early,  that  they 
may  be  in  the  best  of  spirits  to- enjoy  the  ride  and 
scenery  over  the  mountains  the  following  day. 

At  precisely  eight  o'clock  the  next  morning  they 
return  to  the  depot,  and  entering  a  beautiful  Pull- 
man Palace  car  of  the  Rio  Grande  standard  gauge 
railroad,  which  has  but  recently  been  completed, 
are  soon  crawling  up  the  grade  of  the  Great  Di- 
vide, winding  about  through  the  beautiful  moun- 
tains, the  tops  of  which  are  radiant  in  their  immacu- 
late mantle  of  snow.  As  they  proceed  up  the  grade 
the  scenery  becomes  more  grand  and  beautiful  and 
the  field  of  vision  far  more  extensive.  Miss  Matie, 
who  has  been  looking  from  the  window  for  some 
time  observing  the  evidences  of  winter  on  all  sides, 
breaks  the  silence  by  asking :  • 

"Is  this  where  the  winter  comes  when  it  leaves 
our  home  in  the  spring?  Is  it  summer  in  the  moun- 
tains when  it  is  winter  in  Massachusetts?"  remark- 
ing'that  she  always  thought  the  frost  went  up  to 
the  North  Pole  in  the  summer  and  that  she  is  sur- 
prised to  find  it  here  in  Robert's  country,  while  it 
is  still  warm  in  her  dear  old  home. 

Robert  explains  to  her  that  it  is  winter  in  the  high 
mountains  all  the  time;  that  it  descends  to  the  val- 
ley in  the  fall  and  gradually  extends  over  the  coun- 
try, even  as  far  as  her  home,  to  remain  until  the 
spring  weather  drives  it  back  to  the  regions  of  per- 
petual snow,  which  may  be  seen  from  the  valley  be- 
low all  through  the  summer  months.  He  also  tells 
her  that  the  people  of  Colorado  can  make  their 
choice  as  to  the  climate  which  they  are  to  live  in,  as 
they  have  only  to  ascend  the  mountains  from  the 


A      TALE     OF     THE     ROCKIES  22Q 

valleys  below,  where  it  is  very  warm,  when  they 
may  stop  at  any  altitude  and  climate  which  they 
may  desire,  even  to  that  of  eternal  winter,  where,  as 
they  sit  about  their  warm  fires  and  discuss  the  wealth 
of  the  mines  about  them,  they  can  gaze  far  down 
in  the  valley  of  the  Grand  upon  orchards  of  ripe 
peaches  and  vineyards  of  delicious  grapes.  He  also 
tells  her  of  the  wonderful  fascination  which  the 
great  mountains  have  for  those  who  become  ac- 
quainted with  them;  that  they  are  like  old  and  true 
friends,  and  that  after  living  among  them  for  a 
time  it  is  almost  impossible  for  one  to  leave  them 
and  return  to  a  level  country;  that  one  soon  longs 
for  a  sight  of  the  great  peaks  where  their  outlines  are 
blended  with  the  blue  heaven  and  where  the  ever- 
changing  light  and  shade  play  among  the  mighty 
crags  and  dark  canons,  producing  pictures  of  which 
the  beholder  never  tires,  while  through  the  tall  pines 
aie  whispered  mellow  strains  of  dreamy  music  more 
grand  and  enchanting  than  any  ever  produced  by 
man ;  where  the  mind  is  as  free  as  the  mountain  air, 
and  where  the  thoughts  may  dwdl  unmolested  upon 
the  mighty  workings  of  nature.  Whereupon  Matie 
wants  to  know  if  she  will  become  attached  to  the 
mountains,  and  like  them  to  such  an  extent  that  she 
will  forget  her  dear  old  home  in  Needham;  that  if 
that  is  the  way  the  mountains  have  of  making  people 
sick  of  their  homes  she  does  not  want  to  become 
acquainted  with  them ;  that  her  old  friends  are  good 
enough  for  her.  Robert  replies  that  the  mountains 
are  his  friends  and  that  they  will  some  day  become 
hers,  finishing  his  description  by  reciting  a  poem 
which  he  tells  her  he  composed  while  alone  among 
the  mountains : 


230  THE      SINBAD      MINES 


NATURE'S  PICTURE 

I  would  like  to  paint  a  picture 

Of  the   summer's    evening    sky; 
Of  the  gold  and  purple  cloudlets 

As  they're  wafted  lightly  by; 
Of  the  green  and  waving  meadows 

As  they  bow  before  the  breeze, 
While  the  happy  birds  of  evening 

Trill  their  songs  among  the  trees. 

I  would  paint  the  picture  slowly 

With  the  most  exacting  care ; 
Fill  the  zephyrs  with  sweet  odors 

And  the  fields  with  roses  rare ; 
I  would  tint  the  golden  sunset 

With  the  softest,  grandest  hue ; 
I  would  paint  it  after  nature — 

Not  a  feature  would  be  new. 

Then,  as  low  the  sun  descended 

And  the  night  winds  whispered  by, 
I  would  light  the  lamps  of  heaven ; 

Fill  with  stars  the  vaulted  sky; 
Hang  the  moon  above  the  mesa, 

Round  it  drape  a  fleecy  cloud ; 
Give  the  peaks  a  fainter  outline ; 

Raise  their  heads  in  grandeur  proud 

Fill  the  canon  with  the  singing 

Of  the  sturdy  mountain  pine, 
While  its  laughing,  rushing  torrent 

Like  a  silver  thread  would  shine 
Underneath  its  crown  of  glory 

Like    a   master's  holy   saint ; 
I  would  fill  the  scene  with  beauty 

In  the  picture  I  would  paint. 

I   would  frame  this  costly  picture 

In  a  wreath  of  human  love, 
Hang  it  up  before  all  mortals 

From  the  zenith,  far  above ; 
Call  the  nations  to  behold  it, — 

Feast  their  yearning  souls  and  eyes 
On  the  grandest  piece  of  painting 

Underneath   the  starry  skies ! 


A      TALE      OF      THE      ROCKIES  23! 

But    if   I    could  paint  as   grandly 

As  did  Rembrant  and  Van  Dyck, 
So  that  all  the  world  would  wonder 

At  its  beauty — nothing  like, — 
Still  the  picture  would  be  faulty, 

And  its  colors  far  from  true 
To  the  scenes  among  the  Rockies, 

Which  I  could  not  paint  for  you. 

Some  of  the  natural  pictures  along  the  route  are 
very  beautiful ;  especially  is  this  true  in  the  Royal 
Gorge,  as  the  full  moon  is  casting  its  slanting  rays 
into  its  depths,  lighting  up  the  wonderful  panorama 
with  an  incandescent  glow  and  peopling  it  with  fan- 
tastic shadows  which  seem  to  dance  about  a  beau- 
tiful cascade  that  leaps  from  a  dark  ravine  far  up 
the  rocky  battlement,  and  spreading  its  cloud-like 
wings  in  irridescent  splendor,  majestically  floats 
away  into  nothingness. 

When  the  top  of  the  Divide  is  reached  and  the 
train  comes  to  a  stop  in  order  that  the  brakes'  and 
other  machinery  of  the  train  may  be  inspected  be- 
fore attempting  the  descent,  Robert  tells  them  of  the 
heavy  grades  they  are  about  to  descend,  and  that  it 
requires  the  most  expert  engineers  to  manage  a 
train  over  the  mountains ;  that  an  engineer  from  the 
plains  would  be  unable  to  either  pull  a  train  to  the 
top,  or  let  it  down  on  the  other  side  with  any  degree 
of  safety,  or  with  any  certainty  as  to  time ;  that  the 
engine  driver  has  to  know  every  rod  of  track  before 
him  for  miles  ahead  so  as  to  make  runs  for  the 
heavy  grades,  slow  up  for  the  short  curves,  and  con- 
tinually be  on  the  lookout  for  avalanches  of  rock 
which  frequently  come  down  the  mountain,  some- 
times destroying  or  covering  long  sections  of  the 
track  and  grade.  That  at  times  during  the  full 


232  THE      SIN  BAD      MINES: 

of  the  moon  when  the  shadows  are  unusually  black, 
as  they  frequently  are  in  high  altitudes,  it  is  a  ter- 
rible strain  on  the  engineer,  as  many  of  the  dense 
shadows  are  so  sharply  outlined  on  the  track  in 
front  of  him  as  to  be  indistinguishable  from  great 
masses  of  rock,  for  which  he  is  continually  on  the 
lookout,  but  as  he  must  not  bring  his  train  to  a  stop 
in  front  of  every  shadow  which  lies  across  the  rails, 
he  is  kept  in  a  state  of  suspense  throughout  the 
seemingly  endless  night. 

When  the  light  of  morning  comes  they  awaken 
to  find  themselves  in  a  far  different  country,  as  the 
snow  has  all  disappeared  and  in  its  place  are  green 
leaves,  flowers  and  running  brooks,  upon  the  banks 
of  which  are  neat  cabins,  with  gardens  surrounding 
them.  The  train  stops  in  front  of  a  small  depot  and 
the  brakeman  cries : 

"Glenwood  Springs,  twenty  minutes  for  break- 
fast!" 

As  the  long  ride  in  the  bracing  air  has  sharpened 
their  appetites,  they  are  not  long  in  filing  into  the 
dining  room,  where  they  are  provided  with  a  sub- 
stantial meal.  Upon  entering  the  cars  again  Alice 
is  anxious  to  know  more  about  the  new  home  to 
which  she  is  going,  and  as  to  the  class  of  people  she 
will  meet,  recalling  the  picture  which  Robert  had 
painted  of  it  when  they  were  in  Europe,  she  sees 
it  a  rough  mountain  camp,  peopled  with  cowboys 
and  miners,  while  the  mud  shanties  which  do  ser- 
vice as  houses  are  crowded  with  half-breed  children, 
rolling  in  filth.  This  she  reiterates  to  Robert  and 
inquires  if  this  is  really  the  condition  she  will  meet, 
adding  that  she  has  noticed  a  few  homes  as  they 
were  passing  that,  though  they  apparently  made  no 


A      TALE      OF      THE      ROCKIES  233 

pretentions  to  importance,  looked  as  though  their  in- 
habitants enjoyed  life  quite  as  well  as  did  the  aver- 
age New  Engiander.  Robert  does  not  explain  that 
during  his  absence  a  great  change  had  taken  place, 
but  leaves  her  to  be  favorably  disappointed,  inter- 
rupting her  meditations  to  call  attention  to  a  beau- 
tiful mountain  which  rises  a  little  to  the  left  of 
the  course  in  which  they  are  moving,  telling  her 
that  it  is  the  landmark  which  he  first  sighted  when 
he  was  looking  for  the  new  trading  post  on  the 
Grand,  and  goes  on  to  say  that  it  is  known  as  Grand 
Mesa,  one  of  the  most  beautiful  mountains  on  the 
Western  Slope,  and  that  the  city  to  which  they  are 
bound  is  located  at  its  western  foot,  only  a  short 
distance  ahead. 


Thou  monarch  of  all  the  fair  mountains 

Which  smile  on  the  vale  of  the  Grand, 
Thy   feet  in  its   pure  limpid  waters, 

Thy  shadows  o'erspread  the  land. 
A  store-house  of  wealth  for  all  ages, 

Reserved  by  a  great  nation's  pride, 
To  remain  in  the  grandeur  of  nature 

As  fair  as  a  young,  blushing  bride. 

On  thy  bosom,  reflecting  the  landscape, 

The  beautiful  lake  lies  asleep, 
While  from  out  of  its  liquid  fountain 

A  stream  dashes  on  down  the  steep ; 
It  splashes  the  spray  in  the  sunshine 

And  scatters  bright  diamonds  of  light; 
It  gurgles  and  roars  in  its  fury; 

It  beats  the  gray  walls  in  its  might, 

As,  gaining  its  strength  on  its  journey, 
It  speeds  to  the  valley  below, 

To   slacken   the   thirst   of  the  weary 
And  cause  the  rich  vineyards  to  grow. 


234  THE      SINBAD      MINES: 

How  grand  are  the  shades  of  the  evening 
As   they  climb    to    thy   glittering   crest, 

When  the  sun  slowly  sinks  in  the  heavens, 
Behind  the  dark  hill  in  the  west. 

And   when  in   a  halo   of  glory 

The  moon  lights  thy  jewels  of  snow, 
Thy  form  is  a  vision  of  splendor. 

With  beauty  and  grace  all   aglow. 
A  picture  too  fair  to  be  painted 

By  aught  but  the  Great  Master's  hand ; 
A   model   of  grandest   conception, — 

By  Him  its  perfection   was  planned. 

To  lighten  our  hearts  of  their  sorrow, 

And    smooth    the    rough    pathway    we    tread, 
By  lifting  our  eyes  to  His  beauty, 

That  we  by  its  warmth  may  be  fed. 
A  glance  at  the  beauties  of  heaven, 

Of  which  he  invites  us  to  know ; 
A  subject  for  deep  adoration 

By  all  who  behold  from  below. 

And  our  minds  in  humble  submission 

Are  turned  to  the  Architect  Grand 
Who  formed  both  the  brooks  and  the  mountains, 

And  spread  out  the  broad,  fertile  land. 
That  we,  as  His  children,  might  witness, 

In  picture  of  soft  shade  and  light, 
His  ne'er  failing  love  and  devotion, 

As  well  as   His   infinite  might. 

Their  train  again  enters  a  winding  canon,  dash- 
ing through  a  dark  tunnel  only  to  swiftly  round  a 
curve  and  roll  out  upon  the  broad  expanse  of  a 
beautiful  valley,  which  Robert  joyously  welcomes 
by  shouting,  "Home  again"  following  that  excla- 
mation by  singing : 

MY  ROCKY  MOUNTAIN  HOME. 

Oft  I  rode  the  dancing  main 
I  have  crossed  the  flowery  plain, 

And  have  wandered  wide  through  many  distant  lands : 
T  have  seen  the  rushing  Rhine, 
I  have  drunk  her  sparkling  wine 


A      TALE      OF      THE      ROCKIES  235 

And  have  stood  upon  old  England's  merry  sands ; 

Aye,  the  mighty  Alps  I've  scaled 

And  on  distant  seas  I've  sailed ; 
I  have  sought  for  lasting  pleasure  far  and  wide; 

I  have  traveled   east  and  west 

And  have  found  a  place  of  rest 
Near  the  lofty  peaks  that  form  the  Great  Divide. 

Chorus: 
I  will  sing  bf  my  home  in  the  mountains, 

Of  the  streams  that  flow  babbling  along. 
And  of  all  the  wild  beauties  of  nature 

That  to  the  grand  old  Rockies  belong; 
I  will  sing  of  thy  valleys  and  breezes, 

Of  thy  grandeur  of  sunlight  and  storm, 
I  will  sing  of  my  home  in  the  mountains 

The  land   where   true   freedom  is  born. 

Where  'mid  nature's  fondest  charms, 

Like  a  child  in  mother's  arms, 
Rest  the  vales  which  are  like  Eden  in  its  pride; 

Where  the  mountains,  towering  high, 

Seem  to  pierce  the  azure   sky, 
While  their  shadows  paint  the  landscape  far  and  wide. 

Where  the  balmy  breezes  blow, 

And  the  wild   primroses  grow, 
Where  the  shadows  dance  among  the  shady  dells ; 

Where  the  laughing  mountain  stream, 

Like  soft  music  in  a  dream, 
Its  sweet  song  of  love  and  beauty  ever  tells. 

O,  the  Rocky  mountains  grand 

Are  for  me  the  fairest  land, 
And  from  them  I  never  more  will  care  to  roam, 

For  I  love  their  beauty  wild 

As  a  mother  loves  her  child, 
And  I  love  to  call  them  now  my  happy  home. 

O!     Here  I'll  spend  my  life, 

With  my   friends  and   faithful   wife, 
And  none  shall  ever  tempt  me  from  thy  fold. 

All  my  days  I'll  spend  with  thee, 

Fairest  land  of  all  to  me, 
And  I'll  love  thee  better  still  when  I  am  old. 

Before  he  fairly  finished  singing  the  cars  come 
to  a  stop,  the  door  is  thrown  open  and  his  hand  is 


236  THE      SINBAD      MINES: 

seized  by  a  broad-shouldered,  sunburned  man  who 
shakes  it  heartily,  while  he  expresses  his  happiness 
at  again  meeting  him.  Seizing  the  hand-luggage, 
he  leads  the  way  to  a  carriage  which  is  in  waiting, 
and  they  are  rapidly  driven  to  their  new  home,  where 
the  strangers  are  introduced  to  their  waiting  friends. 

The  Moultons  are  delighted  to  meet  many  ladies 
arid  gentlemen  who  were  brought  up  in  the  East, 
and  whom  Alice  supposes  are  invited  guests,  until 
she  is  informed  that  they,  like  herself,  have  become 
permanent  residents  of  the  new  city,  and  that  their 
entire  interests  have  been  transferred  with  them  to 
their  present  home. 

Instead  of  the  terrible  place  Alice  had  pictured,  she 
finds  a  rapidly  growing  city,  planned  and  laid  out 
after  the  most  advanced  ideas,  and  with  all  of  the 
latest  improvements,  either  contemplated  or  under 
rapid  process  of  construction.  In  the  place  of  mud 
houses  are  many  fine  brick  and  frame  ones,  with 
elegant  stores  and  business  houses  which  would  do 
credit  to  any  Eastern  town  of  twice  its  size.  In  fact, 
the  visitors  are  delighted  with  the  prospects  of  the 
place,  and  as  they  wander  about  the  streets  and  view 
the  beautiful  scenery  spread  out  before  them,  they 
heartily  agree  with  Robert's  anticipation  of  its  great 
future. 

During  the  afternoon  squads  of  horsemen  arrive 
from  the  mountains,  thronging  the  streets,  but  con- 
trary to  Alice's  expectation,  they  are  fine  looking 
men  with  extremely  intelligent  faces  and  manly 
bearing.  As  the  evening  approaches  the  town  is  il- 
luminated by  huge  bonfires,  which  leap  from  great 
piles  of  oil  stones  which  have  been  brought  from 
the  adjacent  foot-hills,  while  fireworks  and  giant 


A      TALE      OF      THE      ROCKIES  237 

powder  proclaim  that  Western  hospitality  and  mer- 
ry-making are  to  engross  the  entire  attention  of  the 
populace  for  the  next  few  days. 

After  the  Moultons  have  enjoyed  a  little  rest  and 
partaken  of  some  refreshments,  Robert  excuses  him- 
self and  soon  returns  with  the  members  of  the  Sin- 
bad  Company,  who  are  introduced  to  Alice  and  her 
parents,  while  Master  Charles  does  the  gallant  for 
his  sister  Matie,  of  whom  he  is  very  proud,  and  who 
soon  becomes  the  pet  of  the  camp  and  a  warm  friend 
of  all  who  know  her.  The  evening  is  spent  upon  the 
veranda  renewing  old  acquaintances  and  enquiring 
about  people  whom  they  have  known  at  some  time, 
or  who  have  been  friends  or  relatives  of  some  of 
the  Westerners.  The  merry-making  continues  out- 
side until  late  in  the  night,  and  begins  early  the  fol- 
lowing morning,  to  increase  in  intensity  until  the 
wedding  day  arrives. 

It  has  been  decided  to  have  as  little  formality  as 
possible,  in  order  that  all  may  enjoy  the  occasion 
to  its  fullest  extent.  The  ceremony  is  to  take  place 
at  the  hotel,  where  the  banquet  will  also  be  given, 
the  care  of  which  is  left  entirely  with  Erve,  who  is 
given  instructions  to  make  it  a  spread  which  will  be 
worthy  of  the  guests  and  do  honor  to  the  occasion. 
Having .  received  "carte  blanc"  orders  from  the 
one  who  is  to  pay  the  bill,  Erve  proceeds  to  "lay 
himself  out" — to  do  the  thing,  as  he  expresses  it 
in  Western  terms,  "in  great  shape." 

When  the  wedding  guests  arrive,  and  are  escorted 
into  the  dining  hall,  they  are  more  than  astonished 
at  the  menu  which  is  spread  before  them,  as  it  con- 
sists of  the  most  expensive  delicacies  from  both 
Eastern  and  Western  markets.  The  Moultons  can- 


238  THE      SINBAD      MINES: 

not  comprehend  how  it  is  possible,  in  this  out  of  the 
way  place,  to  furnish  such  a  spread,  even  at  the 
greatest  cost. 

As  soon  as  the  party,  including  the  men  from  the 
mines,  are  seated  at  the  table,  a  white-haired  clergy- 
man arises  from  the  seat  of  honor,  and  inviting  the 
contracting  parties  to  stand,  recites  the  beautiful 
marriage  ceremony,  finishing  with  a  solemn  "Amen," 
at  the  sound  of  which  there  is  a  hearty  response  from 
all  around  the  table,  "So  mote  it  be."  Then  pick- 
ing up  his  glass,  which  is  filled  to  the  brim  with 
pure  mountain  water,  and  scrutinizing  the  table, 
to  find  all  of  the  glasses  filled  with  the  same  liquid, 
he  adds  that  he  is  happy  indeed  to  sit  at  a  feast  of 
this  character,  where  no  amount  of  expense  has  been 
spared,  furnished  only  with  pure  water,  God's  choic- 
est and  best  beverage,  whereupon  Erve  hastens  to 
explain  that,  as  this  occasion  was  intended  to  be 
one  of  pure  happiness,  he  thought  it  best  to  furnish 
the  table  only  with  those  things  which  tend  to  in- 
crease the  happiness  of  those  who  partake. 

With  a  beaming  face  Jack  interrupts  by  inviting 
all  to  drink  with  him  to  the  health  and  happiness  of 
the  beloved  guests.  Immediately  more  than  a  hun- 
dred glasses  are  raised,  and  while  they  remain  above 
their  heads  he  proposes,  "To  him  who  was  the  foun- 
er  of  our  company  and  the  benefactor  of  all  who  shall 
enjoy  its  blessings, — to  his  entire  family,  and  es- 
pecially to  the  loving  wife  who  is  now  to  share  his 
life,  whose  purity  of  character  is  represented  by  the 
crystal  contents  of  our  glasses,  and  who,  like  it,  is 
surely  God's  best  gift  to  man — let  us  now  drink." 

The  true  affection  of  the  men  and  their  most  su- 
preme happiness  as  they  touch  glasses  is  a  very  af- 


A      TALE      OF      THE      ROCKIES  239 

fecting  sight,  and  it  brings  tears  of  joy  to  the  eyes 
of  the  Moultons,  as  they  perceive  how  strongly  at- 
tached are  all  to  those  for  whom  they  labor,  and 
especially  to  him  who  had  been  for  years  their  pro- 
tector and  benefactor. 

THE  WEDDING  BELLS 

Upon  the  mellow  autumn  air 

The  wedding  bells  ring  put  above ; 
The  bride,  bedecked  in  raiment  fair, 

Is  filled  with  thoughts  of  hope  and  love. 

Her  lover  stands  close  by  her  side, 

His  form  the  type  of  manly  grace, 
Within  his  eyes  a  look  of  pride, 

And  love  depicted  on  his  face. 

A  noble  pair,  as  all  confess ; 

A  happy  path  is  theirs  to  tread ; 
May   love  go  with  them   through  their  lives — 

As  fond  and  pure  as  when  they  wed. 

May  life  be  strewn  with  blessings  rare ; 

May  shadows  ne'er  o'ercloud  their  way 
Till   death   shall   send   an  angel   fair 

To  bid  them  to  an  endless  day. 

As  Alice  fully  appreciates  their  sincerity,  she 
blushes  to  think  that  she  had  almost  regretted  hav- 
ing made  the  promise  to  come  and  live  among  them, 
still  she  feels  that  although  she  had  dreaded  to  leave 
her  old  home,  she  had  also  longed  to  see  the  day 
that  is  now  hers,  and  is  confident  that  she  will  never 
regret  the  step  which  she  has  taken. 

After  partaking  of  the  good  things,  and  when  the 
banquet  is  about  over,  Robert  slowly  rises  from  his 
seat,  and  in  a  voice  choked  with  emotion  says : 

"It  is  with  the  geratest  difficulty  that  I  attempt  to 
thank  you  for  the  great  honor  which  you  have 


240  THE      SINBAD      MINES: 

shown  to  one  who  has  only  tried  to  perform  his 
duty  toward  his  fellowmen.  If  I  have  succeeded  it 
is  as  largely  due  to  your  efforts  as  it  is  to  mine.  I 
thank  you  all  for  this  demonstration  of  your  kind 
esteem,  and  assure  you,  individually  and  collectively, 
that  of  the  many  blessings  which  may  come  to  me  in 
the  future,  those  who  have  been  my  companions  and 
fellow-workers  shall  participate  with  me  in  their  en- 
joyment, and  that  none  shall  ever  be  allowed  to 
leave  the  employment  of  the  company  I  represent 
without  a  just  reward  for  all  his  services.  On  be- 
half of  my  wife,  I  wish  to  add  that  our  home  shall 
always  be  the  home  of  our  friends,  among  whom 
we  hope  to  meet  all  of  my  old  associates.  Again 
thanking  you  for  your  many  kind  wishes  for  our 
future  happiness,  which  I  know  are  fully  appre- 
ciated by  our  Eastern  friends,  we  wish  you  a  pleas- 
ant good-night." 

Then  turning  to  Happy,  and  handing  him  a  well- 
filled  wallet,  Robert  instructs  him  to  see  that  the 
boys  have  a  pleasant  evening,  when  the  bridal  party 
enter  carriages  and  are  driven  to  their  home,  to  find 
it  in  perfect  order,  and  the  servants  anxious  to  per- 
form their  duties  as  perfectly  as  possible. 

A  week  of  quiet  rest  is  passed,  and  when  Alice  has 
become  somewhat  acquainted  with  the  ladies  of  the 
neighborhood,  Robert  summons  the  men,  informing 
them  that  the  works  will  start  on  the  following  Mon- 
day and  that  he  hopes  to  see  them  all  in  their 
places  when  the  whistle  blows.  All  hands  respond 
with  a  hearty  "Yes,  sir !"  and  immediate  prepara- 
tions are  made  to  start  the  train  of  saddle  horses 
and  ore  wagons,  which  are  on  the  road  early  the 
next  morning. 


A      TALE      OF      THE      ROCKIES  24 1 

A  few  days  later,  Robert,  his  father  and  Charles, 
who  has  also  remained  behind,  visit  the  camp  and 
make  a  careful  investigation  of  its  condition,  find- 
ing it  in  perfect  order  and  everything  running 
smoothly.  There  is  no  complaining,  and  everyone 
seems  to  be  in  the  position  which  suits  him  best 
and  endeavoring  to  secure  the  best  results.  New 
and  improved  smelters  are  being  put  in,  and  more 
powerful  machinery  for  crushing  the  ore,  as  well  as 
larger  water-wheels  for  running  the  pumps.  The 
entire  mines  are  now  lighted  by  an  incandescent  sys- 
tem of  electric  lights,  while  the  different  buildings, 
as  well  as  levels,  are  connected  by  telephone.  There 
is  no  real  improvement  either  to  increase  the  out- 
put of  the  mines  or  lessen  the  danger  to  the  men, 
which  is  not  introduced  in  and  about  the  property, 
as  it  is  the  earnest  desire  of  the  company  to  protect 
their  men  to  the  utmost  of  their  ability.  In  return, 
the  employes  look  after  the  interests  of  the  com- 
pany as  though  they  were  their  own.  All  is  com- 
plete harmony  and  a  mutual  interest  pervades  the 
entire  management. 

So  time  passes;  seasons  come  and  go,  while  the 
output  of  the  mines  continues  to  increase  and  the 
price  of  its  stock  to  rise,  as  it  is  considered  through- 
out the  state  as  a  steady  producer. 

In  the  city  on  the  Grand,  many  of  the  great  en- 
terprises which  had  been  but  mere  anticipations  are 
now  accomplished  facts.  Thousands  of  acres  of 
fruit  trees  adorn  the  adjacent  table  lands,  which 
are  irrigated  by  means  of  great  ditches,  which  tap 
the  river  far  up  into  the  canon,  and  when  the  trees 
are  in  bloom  the  whole  valley  for  many  miles  upon 


242  THE      S  I  N  B  A  D      MINES! 

each  side  of  the  river  is  one  vast  sea  of  delicate 
flowers. 

jyilEN  THE  FLOWERS  BLOOM 

From  the  mouth  of  the  gorge  to  the  edge  of  the  desert. 

From  the  foot  of  old  Pinon,  high  rearing  her  head, 
To  the  cliffs  that  arise  like  walls  of  protection, 

Our  vale  is  in  bloom  like  a  mighty  rose-bed. 

The  flowers  now  filling  the  air  with  their  fragrance 
Will  soon  paint  the  cheek  of  the  fruit  on  the  bough. 

And  wealth  will  be  hung  on  the  heavy-laid  branches 
That  blush  in   their  beauty  and   fragrance  now. 

Our  acres  of   orchards  have   grown   to  be    thousands ; 

Their  beauty  indeed  is  a  sight  to  behold, 
For  even  our  dwellings  are  hidden  by  blossoms 

That  presage  a  harvest  of  treasures  untold. 

A  harvest  of  fruit,  red,  golden  and  purple ; 

More  lucious  than  dates  from  the  banks  of  the  Nile, 
Or  of  figs   from  the  hills   of  ancient  Judea, 

That  once  met  the  beams  of  the  Master's  sweet  smile. 

May  the  blessings  they  'bring,  like  the  odor  of  flowers. 
Be  lovingly  spread  with  a  bountiful  hand, 

Until,  like  our  fruit  for  its  flavor  and  beauty, 

Our  deeds  shall  be  known  o'er  the  breadth  of  the  land. 

A  railroad  has  been  built  to  the  Little  Book-Cliff 
mines,  located  in  the  foot-hills  a  few  miles  away, 
from  which  thousands  of  tons  of  the  best  coal  is 
being  brought  to  furnish  the  surrounding  counties, 
as  well  as  a  greater  part  of  the  Western  Slope  with 
fuel,  as  these  mines  are  practically  inexhaustible, 
the  problem  of  cheap  fuel  is  satisfactorily  settled  for 
all  time. 

Commodious  school  buildings  rear  their  stately 
piles  from  among  groves  of  shade-trees,  while  hun- 
dreds of  happy  children  assemble  within  their 
spacious  halls. 


A      TALE      OF      THE      ROCKIES  243 

Stately  churches  of  many  denominations,  with 
their  slender  spires  pointing  heavenward,  remind 
the  thoughtful  of  their  duty  to  their  Creator,  while 
the  mellow  tones  of  the  Sabbath  bell,  swung  by 
willing  hands  and  heard  by  waiting  ears,  resound 
from  many  a  chapel  located  at  intervals  throughout 
the  valley,  calling  the  honest  toilers  of  the  soil  from 
their  labors  to  congregate  with  their  happy  families 
and  listen  to  the  teachings  of  their  beloved  pastors. 

Many  large  buildings,  bearing  the  emblems  of 
their  order,  proclaim  to  the  world  that  brotherly  love 
and  human  kindness  pervades  the  hearts  of  the  citi- 
zens, while  a  commodious  opera  house,  equipped 
with  modern  improvements,  occupies  a  position  in 
front  of  a  beautiful  park,  where  the  play-going  pub- 
lic are  invited  to  enjoy  the  efforts  of  the  best  talent 
of  the  country.  Two  good  daily  newspapers  fur- 
nish the  news  of  the  day,  and  a  resume  of  the  week's 
doings  may  be  found  in  the  columns  of  four  weeklies. 
Beautiful  drives  have  been  laid  out  among  the  hills, 
where  the  visitor  or  citizen  can  pass  many  pleasant 
hours  among  scenery  which  is  both  grand  and  beau- 
tiful. Numerous  paths  lead  away  up  the  mountafn 
streams  through  many  a  cool  and  shady  glen,  where 
the  timid  deer  feeds  and  the  radiant  trout  glides 
down  through  the  sparkling  waters.  There,  far 
away  up  the  mountain  side,  the  lover  of  nature  may 
spread  his  blankets  before  the  cheerful  camp  fire, 
without  fear  of  disease,  as  there  will  be  no  dew  to 
moisten  his  brow  or  malaria  to  poison  his  system, 
while  he  gazes  down  upon  the  electric-lighted  city 
wrapped  in  slumbers,  and  muses  on  the  beauty  of 
a  scene  which  it  would  be  difficult  to  duplicate — 
in  any  clime  or  country. 


244  THE      SINBAD      MINES: 

AUTUMN  DAYS 

When   the  nights   begin  to   lengthen 

And  the  haze  steals  o'er  the  land, 
When  the  frost  creeps  down  the  mountain, 

Stamping  nature  with   its  brand ; 
When  with  red  the  leaves  are  painted, 

And  the  fruit  is  safely  stored; 
When  the  squirrel  the  nuts  have  gathered, 

And  their  treasures  snugly  hoard ; 

When  the  peaks,  all  wreathed  in  glory, 

Sparkle   in   the   slanting  rays 
Of  the  hazy   Indian  summer, 

In  the   sleepy  autumn   days ; 
When  the  red  deer  seeks  the  valley 

From   the   ranges    far   away, 
When  the  frost  king  paints  the  landscape 

And  the  storms  are  held  at  bay, — 

Then  I  love  to  dwell  with  nature 

Far   among  the  mighty  hills, 
Listen  to  her  dreamy  music 

From  the  pines  and  laughing  rills ;  • 
Dream    of   beauty   and   contentment, 

Of  a  life  still  free  from  sin, 
Of  the  beauty  of  Creation 

And  the   love  that  burns   therein. 

Of  the  goodness  of  our  Father, 

Who  designed    for  us   this  home, 
Made  the  hills  and  mighty  rivers, 

And  the  plains  o'er  which  we  roam ; 
Painted  rich  the  ruddy  sunset, 

Decked  the  hills  with  blossoms  fair, 
Sent  the  breezes  soft  and  mellow 

Perfumed    with    sweet  odors   rare. 

Placed  the  colors  in   the   rainbow, 

Lit  the  starry  vault  of  night, 
Added  music  to  the  tempest, 

And   with    warmth    endowed   the    light. 
Made  all  nature   for  our  comfort, 

Filled  the   earth   with  every  good. 
Promised  us  His  endless  mercy 

If  we  love  him  as  we  should. 


A      TALE      OF      THE      ROCKIES  245 

If  we  love  our   fellow   brother 

Care  for  all  His  needy  ones, 
We  shall  see  Him  in  His  glory 

And  of  God  be  royal  sons. 
Earth,  indeed,  would  be  an  Eden 

But  for  sin's  dark,  foul  alloy ; 
Let  us  then  be  more  in  earnest, 

Saddened  lives  to  fill  with  joy. 

Robert  has  lived  to  see  the  valley  of  the  Grand 
change  from  a  barren  desert  to  the  most  productive 
country  in  the  world;  the  village  develop  from  a 
mere  trading  post  to  a  metropolitan  city,  which 
spreads  for  miles  over  a  fertile  land,  offering  homes 
to  thousands  who,  either  for  health  or  other  mo- 
tives, wish  to  adopt  it  as  their  home ;  has  seen'  It 
become  a  great  commercial  center  where  thousands 
of  busy  and  happy  people  are  industriously  acquir- 
ing a  competency  for  old  age.  He  has  lived  to 
see  his  most  sanguine  predictions  verified^  and  as 
he  gazes  at  the  varying  picture  spread  out  before 
him  as  the  twilight  plays  among  the  towering 
peaks,  casting  fantastic  shadows  across  the  beauti- 
ful valley  dotted  with  happy  homes,  nestled  among 
bowers  of  fragrant  orchards  and  flanked  by  rjroad 
acres  of  beautiful  meadows,  he  is  lost  in  admiration 
of  so  much  grandeur.  Then,  as  the  light  fades  and 
the  soft  west  wind  whispers  among  the  rustling 
foliage  its  dreamy  music,  he  falls  to  sleep  to  dream 
of  Arcadian  happiness  and  perfect  peace  among 
these  fortunate  children  of  men. 

Many  of  Alice's  early  friends  have  come  to  en- 
joy the  advantages  of  the  new  city  on  the  Grand, 
and  among  them  a  certain  young  lady  from  the 
East  who  declared  she  never  would  live  in  the  hor- 
rid West  to  please  any  "brute"  of  a  man.  In  a 


246  THE      SINBAD      MINES: 

beautiful  home  on  one  of  the  most  aristocratic 
avenues  she  now  presides  as  wife  and  mother,  while 
Charles  declares  that  "she  is  just  the  sweetest  little 
woman  in  the  world."  Erve  has  also  given  up  his 
bachelor  ideas  and  persuaded  a  young  lady  from 
New  York  to  share  his  home  with  him.  "Happy" 
still  enjoys  the  bliss  of  single  blessedness,  but  is 
the  mainstay  of  Robert,  who  trusts  him  with  the 
most  important  features  of  the  business,  as  master 
of  transportation.  But  the  old  methods  of  former 
years  have  been  discarded,  as  the  iron  horse  is  now 
doing  service  in  front  of  the  "pack-train,"  which 
consists  of  a  long  row  of  ore  cars,  and  as  they  go 
thundering  and  screeching  up  the  canon,  making 
the  trip  in  a  few  hours  instead  of  as  many  days,  they 
are  conducted  with  the  same  care  and  attention  to 
detail  as  governed  him  when  first  he  rode  over  the 
trail,  looking  much  like  a  traveling  arsenal,  with 
but  a  few  horses  in  his  charge. 

Jack  and  Mr.  Benton  continue  to  manage  the 
mines,  while  Miss  Matie  fills  the  position  of  book- 
keeper and  cashier,  in  which  capacity  she  seems  to 
be  in  her  element.  Charles  has  charge  of  the  com- 
missary department,  keeping  the  stores  at  the  mines 
and  occasionally  assisting  his  sister  on  the  books, 
as  her  desk  is  in  his  office.  Robert  attends  to  the 
general  business  of  the  company  outside  the  camp, 
which  has  grown  to  proportions  which  are  only 
equalled  by  the  prodigious  strides  of  the  new  city, 
which  has  now  become  the  recognized  metropolis 
of  the  Western  Slope,  and  as  Robert  contemplates 
the  beauty  of  his  own  country  as  compared  with  any 
other  under  the  sun,  he  expresses  himself  in  the 
following  lines : 


A      TALE      OF      THE      ROCKIES 


THE  LAND  OP  MY  CHOICE 

I  have  stood 
In  the  long  busy  streets,  where  the  English  heart  beats 

To  the  tap  of  the  mariner's  drum, 
And  the  forms  of  the  great  under  Westminster  wait, 

Undisturbed  by  the  great  city's  hum. 

By  the  side  of  the  stream  that  glides   like  a  dream 
'Neath   the   bridges   which    span   its   broad   tide, 

Where  Napoleon  lies  beneath  the  French  skies, 
And  beauty  is  seen  in  its  pride. 

Where  the  Rhine  speeds  along  to  its  merriest  song 

Through  the  broken  and  vine-laden   land ; 
Where  legends  are  told  of  brave  knights  of   old 

Who  fought  'for  their  fair  lady's  hand. 

Where  the  beautiful   Spree  dances  on  toward  the  sea, 

Beneath  ancient  castle  and  tower ; 
Where  the  Kaiser  bell   tolls   for  the   peace  of  the  souls 

That   were  freed  in   the  dark  battle's   hour. 

In   the  cantons  and   dells  where  the  happy   Swiss  dwells 

'Neath  the  thatch-covered  cottage  in   ease, 
On  the  Alps'  rugged  side  where  the  hoar  glaciers  wide 

Are  fast  chained  by  the  wintry  breeze. 

Where  the  love-singing  river,  the  fair  Guadalquivir, 

Reflects  back  the  beauties  of  art, 
And  poetry  and   song  to  the  landscape  belong 

And  love  has  control  of  the  heart. 

Where  the  bold  Tiber's  wave  still  caressingly  lave 

The  limbs   of  the  fair   Roman   maid, 
And  the  pilgrims  at  prayer  breathe  forth  on  the  air 

Devotions,  in  St.    Peter's  shade. 

Where  the  blue  Danube  flows  from  its  home  in   the  snows, 

In  the  land  of  the  spices  and  tea, 
On  the  banks  of  the  Nile  by  the  pyramid's  pile, 

And  on  many  an  isle  of  the  sea. 

But  their  beauties  soon  fade  and  are  lost  in  the  shade 

That  is  cast  by  his  own  native  land, 
For  the  home  of  my  birth  is  the  fairest  on  earth ; 

Its  scenery  of  all  the  most  grand. 


248  THE      SINBAD      MINES: 

For  the  great  Master  planned  (in  this  wonderful  land) 

On  a  scale  that  is  grand  to  behold; 
Here,  the  sights  of  the  world  on  the  vision  are  hurled, 

But  enlarged — full  many  a  fold. 

From  the  East  to  the  West,  from  the  sea  to  the  crest 

Of  the  Great  Rocky  Mountain  Divide, 
Not  a  flower  is  wrong,  not  a  note  in  the  song 

Of  the  bird  that  sings  on  in  its  pride. 

Not  a  tint  in  the  sky;  nor  a  cloud  floating  by, 

Not  a  breeze  nor  a  cool  mountain  rill 
But  that  speaks  of  His  care  in  accents  of  prayer, — 

But  that  shows  His  most  consumate  skill. 

Through  the  ages  long  past  He  has  kept  to  the  last 

All  the  wonders  we  daily  behold ; 
On  the  land  of  the  West  His  blessings  shall  rest, — 

His  blessings  more  precious  than  gold. 

So  others  may  dwell  on  the  tales  which  they  tell, 

Of  the  beauties  of  land  o'er  the  sea ; — 
I  will  sing  and  rejoice  in  this  land  of  my  choice, 

"Pis  the  fairest  of  all,  yet  to  me. 

As  Robert  remembers  his  early  ambitions,  and 
how  they  were  darkened  by  shadows  which  cast  a 
gloom  over  them,  nearly  destroying-  his  usefulness, 
and  which  must  have  done  so  had  it  not  been  for 
his  Providential  meeting-  with  Mr.  Moulton,  he 
realizes  that  but  for  him  the  fulfillment  of  the 
dreams  of  his  youth  must  have  been  but  idle  musing. 
And  he  now  sees,  through  the  mist  of  years,  that 
those  dreams  have  all  been  realized — yea,  more; 
they  have  been  magnified,  and  as  he  looks  back  over 
his  life  and  sees  the  result  of  his  efforts,  to  the 
blessings  which  now  surround  him,  he  fully  realizes 

THE  POSSIBILITIES  OF  LIFE 

Our  life  we  live  that  we  the  time  may  use 
To  gather  knowledge  and  the  same  diffuse ; 
To  aid  the  weak  and  thus  fulfill  the  plan 
Of  God's  own  word, — the  brotherhood  of  man. 


A      TALE      OF      THE      ROCKIES  24Q 

Intellect,  reason,  will,  and  common-sense, 

Are  ours.    To  hoard?     No,  free  dispense. 

Our  wealth  is  loaned  us  to  be  freely  used 

In  doing  good,  and  not  to  be  abused. 

And  while  we  live  there's  only  time  we  own ; 

Improve  it  well,  its  loss  you'll  e'er  bemoan. 

"How  long  we  live  not  years  but  actions  tell ;" 

"That  man  lives  twice  who  lives  the  first  life  well ;" 

While  he  who  lives  and  acts  less  than  his  best 

Had  better  change,  or  cease  to  live  the  rest 

Of  even  one,  for  years  or  months  or  single  days 

Are  worse  than  lost  if  spent  in  wicked  ways ; 

And  he  who  stultifies  his  conscience  keen, 

To  live  a  life  of  worthless  ease,  is  mean 

And  low — too  foul  to  fill  the  place  he  occupies ; 

A  blot  of  shame,  unfit  for  earth  or  home  beyond  the  skies. 

Has  he  done  all  that  he  could  for  his  fellowmen  ? 
Has  he  been  of  value  to  those  about  him?  If  so, 
then,  indeed,  should  he  be  happy,  for  there  is  no 
other  reason  for  living.  As  he  asks  himself  these 
questions  he  inquires  also  as  to  what  is  life? 

WHAT  IS  THIS  LIFE? 

What  is  life,  but  a  swift  fading  flower? 

A  sunbeam  in  spring,  a  mid-summer  flower. 

A  quick,  passing  breeze,  a  short,  fleeting  breath, 

And  our  days  are  no  more; — we  are  silent  in  death. 

Aye,  what  is  this  life  that  we  long  so  to  live? 

'Tis  a  problem  of  time  which  has  little  to  give 

But  sorrow  and  pain,  disease  and  decay — 

Hopes  that  will  fade  and  soon  fly  away. 

Ambition   discouraged   and    strength   spent   in  vain, 
Our  youth  passed  away  to  return  ne'er  again; 
The  dreams  of  our  childhood  their  beauty  have  lost ; 
Is  life  worth  the  living,  if  we  count  all  the  cost? 
If  we  live  to  ourselves  and  not  to  mankind ; 
If  we  seek  only  riches,  improve  not  the  mind; 
If  we  hear  not  the  sigh  or  the  prayer  as  we  go 
Of  the  needy  and  weak, — a  thousand  times.  No! 


250  THE      SINBAD      MINES: 

But  if,  while  we  life,  we  are  noble  and  brave ; 
If  we  try  from  despair  some  brother  to   save, 
Our  lives  will  beam  forth  like  a  beautiful  day, — 
Like  the  glory  of  morn,  nor  e'en   fade  away. 
If  we  quickly  respond  to  the  needy  one's  cry 
With  a  heart  full  of  love,  and  are  ever  near  by 
To   comfort   the   weary   and   relieve   their   distress, 
Life  is  worth  the  living — ten  thousand  times,   YES! 

Yes,  indeed,  life  to  him  has  been  worth  living,  as 
his  happiness  has  far  outweighed  all  of  his  trials 
and  loneliness.  Turning  to  his  desk  he  picks  up  a 
well-worn  copy  of  the  Bible,  which  for  many  years 
has  been  his  constant  companion,  having  accompa- 
nied him  in  all  his  wanderings.  Turning  to  the  fly- 
leaf he  reads,  in  his  mother's  handwriting :  "So  run 
that  ye  may  obtain;  and  having  done  all,  to  stand." 
Robert  has  read  this  many  times  before,  and  it  has 
given  him  strength  in  the  hour  of  temptation.  It 
has  helped  him  to  stand  and  persevere  in  his  life's 
task,  and  now  'he  feels  that  so  far  as  the  quotation 
refers  to  temporal  matters,  he  has  run  and  obtained. 
Then  drawing  from  his  pocket  another  small  book 
he  reads  the  following: 

"O,  happy  they  of  human  race  to  whom  our  Lord 
has  given  grace  to  hear,  to  read,  to  feel,  to  pray,  to 
lift  the  latch  and  force  the  way;  but  better  had 
they  ne'er  been  born  who  read  to  laugh  or  read  to 
scorn." 

These  lines  are  in  a  childish  hand,  and  are  signed 
"Alice."  Robert  has  read  these  lines  many  times, 
too,  as  the  signature  as  well  as  the  lines  have  had 
a  peculiar  charm  for  him  for  many  years.  Yes,  he 
has  read  and  received  the  strength  to  force  his  way. 
even  against  great  and  severe  trials,  and  he  has 
now  received  his  reward — even  in  this  present  life 


A      TALE      OF     THE      ROCKIES  25! 

— far  more  than  he  had  even  dared  to  ask  for  or 
anticipate — riches,  honor,  and  the  priceless  love  of 
wife,  children  and  friends.  Although  he  has  been 
thrown  among  the  roughest  element,  Robert  has 
never  learned  to  scoff  at  the  blessed  word  of  God, 
but  continues  to  read  his  Bible  with  the  greatest 
reverence,  while  he  endeavors  to  practice  its  teach- 
ings, for  to  it  and  its  associations  does  he  ascribe 
his  success  in  life. 

Returning  the  keepsakes  to  their  accustomed 
places,  he  reverently  bows  his  head  and  thanks  the 
God  of  his  mother  for  the  tender  care  and  manifold 
blessings  which  have  followed  him  through  all  the 
days  of  his  life,  sustained  him  in  many  trials  and 
finally  brought  him  through  them  all  to  enjoy  the 
greatest  of  blessings.  He  has  lived  to  see  the  fond- 
est hopes  of  his  childhood  realized,  the  oft-repeated 
prayers  of  his  dead  mother  answered,  and  his  own 
honest  efforts  crowned  with  the  most  abundant  suc- 
cess. He  has  arisen  from  the  most  helpless  and 
dependent  position  to  one  of  honor  and  respect ;  from 
abject  poverty  to  abundant  wealth,  and  from  an 
uneducated  waif  to  an  esteemed  citizen  of  one  of 
the  most  enlightened,  accomplished  and  refined  cities 
of  the  Great  West.  He  is  known  as  the  friend  of  the 
afflicted  and  oppressed,  as  well  as  the  companion  of 
the  laborer,  for  he  has  experienced  the  vicissitudes  of 
all  the  conditions  of  life,  and  has  ever  insisted  that 
all  honest  labor  is  honorable,  and  though  courted 
by  the  wealthy  and  influential,  he  can  sympathize 
with  those  less  fortunate.  The  honors  conferred  do 
not  injure  him,  as  his  experience  has  taught  him 
that  neither  money,  power  nor  honor  are  to  be  com- 
pared with  an  honest  heart,  a  spotless  character, 


252  THE      SINBAD      MINES: 

and  the  "Almighty  Force  of  Truth;"  that  whatever 
he  may  be  accredited  with  is  as  much  due  to  the 
kindly  assistance  of  friends  and  companions  as  it 
is  to  his  own  efforts.  Consequenty,  Robert  has 
little  to  be  proud  of,  but  a  great  deal  to  be  thankful 
for ;  for  his  mother's  early  teachings,  a  pure  girl's 
love,  and  many  kind  friends,  as  well  as  to  his  firm 
belief  in  the  Christian  religion,  does  he  ascribe  his 
success  in  life,  believing  that  but  for  them  he  would 
never  have  become  the  respected  head  of  a  happy 
home,  the  possessor  of  friends  and  wealth,  and  the 
honored  president  of  the  Sinbad  Mining  Company. 

75"  LIFE  WORTH  THE  LIVING 

Yes,  life  is  worth  the  living, 

If  we  only  try  to  improve 
The  fast-fleeting  moments  alloted 

By  actions   of  kindness   and   love. 
A  smile  or  a  kindly  greeting 

Will  lighten  another's  load 
And  smooth  his  roughened  pathway 

As  he  struggles  along  life's  road. 

To  return  to  its  gracious  Giver 

Its  price,  full  a  hundred  fold, 
And  he  shall  be  far  more  happy 

Then  the  owner  of  lands  and  gold. 
For  down  in  the  soul  is  a  yearning 

Which  is  of  the  Maker  a  part, 
A  love  for  our  fellow  creatures, 

A  glow  of  the  human  heart 

That  burns,   though   hidden    by  actions 

Which  veil  all  its  beauty  from  sight, 
With   a   flame   of   dazzling    splendor 

That  drives  from  our  lives  all  the  night. 
Then,  all  of  our  days  will  be  happy. 

And  Death  shall  be  robbed  of  its  pain, 
For  in  passing  its  silent  portals 

A  heavenly  home  we  shall  gain. 

THE  END. 


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